smells like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smells like" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the scent of something. For example: "The air smells like freshly cut grass."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

It smells like Europe.

The New York Times

"He smells like pee".

The New Yorker

It smells like springtime.

The Economist

Whatever it smells like.

The New York Times - Arts

"It smells like earth".

The New Yorker

It smells like cinnamon.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

It smelled like cigarettes.

The New York Times

The air smelled like rain.

The New Yorker

They smell like goats.

The New Yorker

It smelled like virtue.

The New York Times

Place smelled like hemp.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smells like" to create vivid sensory descriptions that help your readers imagine the scene or object you're describing. For instance, "The forest floor smells like damp earth and pine needles."

Common error

Be specific with what something "smells like". Saying "It smells like something" is vague. Instead, provide a concrete comparison, such as "It smells like burnt sugar".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smells like" functions as a sensory descriptor, linking an observed scent to a familiar reference. It serves to provide a relatable understanding of the olfactory experience, as confirmed by Ludwig's numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smells like" is a common and versatile tool for describing scents by comparing them to something familiar. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to provide sensory details and create vivid imagery. While grammatically correct, it's important to use specific comparisons rather than vague descriptions to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "has the scent of" or "gives off the aroma of", each with slightly different nuances. In summary, "smells like" is a reliable way to evoke a sense of smell in writing and conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smells of

A more direct, less comparative way of indicating a smell.

has the scent of

Focuses on the inherent scent rather than a comparative description.

gives off the aroma of

Emphasizes the emission of a particular smell, often used for more delicate or pleasant scents.

evokes the scent of

Focuses on the ability of the smell to bring something else to mind.

carries a scent of

Suggests the smell is being transported or is subtly present.

has an odor reminiscent of

A more formal way to say it reminds you of a certain smell.

exudes a fragrance of

Implies a strong, often pleasant, smell is emanating from something.

bears the fragrance of

Similar to exudes, but can be more subtle and inherent to the source.

is fragrant with

Highlights the source as being imbued with a pleasant scent.

is scented with

Suggests a deliberate addition of a particular scent.

FAQs

How can I use "smells like" in a sentence?

Use "smells like" to compare a scent to something else. For example, "The bakery "smells like fresh bread"" or "Her perfume "smells like roses"".

What are some alternatives to "smells like"?

You can use phrases such as "has the scent of", "gives off the aroma of", or "is redolent of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "smells as" instead of "smells like"?

While "smells as" can be grammatically correct in different contexts, it is not typically used to describe a scent. "Smells like" is the more common and idiomatic choice for scent comparisons.

What's the difference between "smells like" and "has the scent of"?

"Smells like" is a direct comparison, while "has the scent of" is a more general statement about a dominant aroma. For example, "This candle "smells like vanilla"" implies a distinct vanilla scent, whereas "This room "has the scent of lavender"" simply indicates that lavender is a noticeable fragrance.