Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

smell test

/ˈsmɛl ˌtɛst/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.41 in modern English

Syllables: smell test
IPA: /ˈsmɛl ˌtɛst/

11

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

1

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An assessment of a subject's ability to detect and distinguish odors.

noun

Synonym of sniff test.

noun

Synonym of sniff test.

Example Sentences

"Although scientists have yet to pin down any biological basis for cigarette smokers' impaired performance on the smell test, Doty says he suspects that certain chemicals in smoke . . . damage the olfactory receptor cells in the nose."
"I give the smell test to many foods when I shop."
"It just doesn't pass the smell test. It just creates too many opportunities for cutting corners, doing unethical things and basically not telling the truth."
"These aren’t the first megadeals cut by politicians that do not pass the smell test, but nobody has been swindled like the Yankee Stadium community."

Etymology

From smell (noun) + test (noun).

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈsmɛl ˌtɛst/
British English: /ˈsmɛl tɛst/

Inflected Forms

smell tests (plural)

Phrases

smell a rat

Frequently Paired Words

smell a rat

Synonyms

nose test

Questions

How do you pronounce smell test?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈsmɛl ˌtɛst/.
What does smell test mean?: An assessment of a subject's ability to detect and distinguish odors.
Where does smell test come from?: From smell (noun) + test (noun).

How to pronounce smell test

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “smell test”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈsmɛl ˌtɛst/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “smell test”.
Repeat and practice — Say “smell test” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.