with a smell of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with a smell of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the scent or aroma associated with something, often in a descriptive context. Example: "The kitchen was filled with a smell of freshly baked bread that made everyone feel at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Inside the big marquee, it was dry, with a smell of flowers and trampled sheltered grass.

The New Yorker

Home was always warm with a smell of good food when I walked in.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She unrolled her window and flung the pit into a wind suddenly heavy with a smell of tornadoes.

The New Yorker

In 1998 he realised that his relationship with A Smell Of Sulphur In The Wind had become non-existent.

The Guardian

When Carlsberg said in 2006 that it was moving out, developers sought to reimagine an industrial plant with a smell of hops that lay near a working-class neighborhood notorious for prostitution and drug dealing.

The New York Times

The other 600, who trickled in later, did not, and are now in breach of the Town and Country Planning Act.The occupied pitches are spotless, with a smell of bleach lingering in the air.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Any retrenchment as severe as the one underway in Silicon Valley brings with it a smell of death, with its survivors struggling through the well-known stages of reconciliation.

Los Angeles Times

Inside rooms are filled with darkness and a smell of dirt and perfume lingers.

Vice

The air was moist and heavy with a smell redolent of Florida and the tropics.

The New York Times

Out of a brightly lit shop walks a man ("definitely a citizen, not a comrade, or perhaps even – most likely – a gentleman") with a nasty smell of hospital and cigars.

The Guardian - Books

It said that upon impact, the projectiles had released a yellow gas "with a strong smell of rotten onions".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with a smell of" to vividly describe an environment or object, drawing the reader into the scene with sensory details. For instance, "The forest was thick with a smell of damp earth and pine needles."

Common error

Avoid using "with a smell of" in situations where a more direct adjective would suffice. Instead of saying "The flower was with a smell of roses", try "The flower was rose-scented."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with a smell of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun, adding descriptive detail about the scent associated with that noun. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with a smell of" is a grammatically sound and useful way to add sensory detail to your writing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys the scent associated with a particular subject. Although "with a smell of" is not as prevalent as other descriptive phrases, it maintains a solid presence in reputable news sources, making it a valuable tool for writers aiming to create vivid and engaging descriptions. Remember to consider more concise options if appropriate and avoid overuse for simple descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having a scent of

Replaces the preposition "with" and the noun "smell" with the gerund "having" and the noun "scent", slightly altering the sentence structure.

carrying a scent of

Emphasizes the transportation or presence of the scent in the air.

characterized by a smell of

Introduces "characterized by" to emphasize the defining scent, increasing formality.

giving off a smell of

Focuses on the emission of the scent, implying a source actively producing the smell.

imbued with an aroma of

Implies that something is permeated or saturated with a specific aroma, adding depth to the description.

exuding a fragrance of

Replaces "smell" with "fragrance", suggesting a pleasant scent.

redolent of

Uses a more sophisticated and concise term, implying a strong association with a particular scent.

fragrant with

Uses a single adjective to describe that something has a pleasant smell

scented with

Describes something that has been intentionally given a particular scent

having the odor of

Uses the word "odor", which can be neutral or slightly negative, depending on the context.

FAQs

How can I use "with a smell of" in a sentence?

Use "with a smell of" to describe a place, object, or thing that has a particular scent. For example, "The bakery was filled with a smell of cinnamon and sugar."

What are some alternatives to "with a smell of"?

You can use alternatives like "having a scent of", "redolent of", or "characterized by a smell of" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "with a smell of", even for unpleasant scents?

Yes, "with a smell of" can be used for both pleasant and unpleasant scents. For example, you could say, "The alleyway was filled with a smell of garbage."

What's the difference between "with a smell of" and "fragrant with"?

"With a smell of" is a more general way to describe any scent, while "fragrant with" implies a pleasant or sweet scent. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific scent you are describing.