Odor vs Smell
Odor and Smell are two words that are often confused when it comes to their meanings and connotations. The word ‘odor’ is generally used in the sense of ‘scent’. On the other hand, the word ‘smell’ is used generally in the sense of ‘aroma’ either good or bad. This is the main difference between the two words.
The word ‘odor’ is used in the case chemical substances too as in the expressions ‘pungent odor’ and the like. On the other hand, the word ‘smell’ is used in connection with bad things such as ‘bad smell’ and ‘stink’ and the like. This is another difference between the two words.
Take a look at the following sentences.
1. The chemist felt the odor of the substance.
2. The odor of the liquid was fragrant.
In both the sentences, the word ‘odor’ is used in the sense of ‘scent’ and hence, the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘the chemist felt the scent of the substance’, and the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘the scent of the liquid was fragrant’.
Observe the two sentences given below.
1. The smell in the food attracted her to a great extent.
2. Angela was drawn by the smell emanating out of the perfume.
In both the sentences you can see that the word ‘smell’ is used in the sense of ‘aroma’ and hence, the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘the aroma in the food attracted her to a great extent’, and the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘Angela was drawn by the aroma emanating out of the perfume’.
It is interesting to note that the word ‘smell’ is associated with words such as ‘foul’, ‘stink’ and the like as in the expression ‘foul smell’. These are the differences between the two words, odor and smell.