Meaning & use
distinct smells
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Clear, separate smells that are easy to notice and tell apart.
Grammar: Plural noun phrase; the singular is 'a distinct smell'. Use 'distinct' before the noun, not after it.
Patterns
- distinct smells of something
- a distinct smell
- notice distinct smells
The kitchen had distinct smells of garlic, ginger, and soy sauce.
Walking through the market, I noticed distinct smells from every stall.
There were distinct smells of smoke and pine in the forest air.
Common combinations
- distinct smell of
- There was a distinct smell of coffee in the office.
- notice distinct smells
- Dogs can notice distinct smells that humans miss.
- distinct aroma
- The bakery had a distinct aroma of fresh bread.
Synonyms and how they differ
- different smells
- Different smells simply means not the same; distinct smells are also clear and easy to notice.
- recognizable smells
- Recognizable smells can be identified, while distinct smells stand out as separate from others.
Opposites
Word family
- distinctly adverb
- In a clear and noticeable way.
- distinctive adjective
- Easy to recognize because it is special or unusual.
- distinction noun
- A clear difference between things.
Commonly confused: distinct smells or distinctive?
distinct smells vs distinctive
Distinctive means special and easy to recognize, while distinct means clearly separate or different.
Practice
Choose the best word: 'The garden had ___ smells of roses and mint.'
Choose one answer.
Distinct fits because the smells are separate and easy to notice. Distinctive would mean the smells are special or unique, which changes the meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “distinct smells”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.