Describing Tastes and Smells: English Vocabulary List

having a strong, sharp smell or taste that can be overpowering and somewhat unpleasant

"The cheese is pungent."

"The pungent smell of blue cheese is too strong for some people but others find it delicious and enjoy eating it with crackers and fruit."

enhanced with sweetness

"The tea is sweetened."

"The sweetened yogurt contained too much sugar for her diet so she switched to plain Greek yogurt and added fresh berries instead for natural sweetness."

having a taste or aroma that is sour, tart, or like vinegar

"The pickles are vinegary."

"The vinegary taste of the pickles made her pucker her lips but she still ate three of them because she loved sour foods more than anything else."

having a mild spicy taste like a black pepper

"The steak is peppery."

"The steak had a peppery crust that gave it a spicy kick and it was served with a creamy sauce that balanced the heat perfectly."

having a taste or smell that is reminiscent of citrus fruits, like lemons, oranges, or limes

"The drink is citrusy."

"The citrusy scent of the cleaning product reminded her of fresh lemons and she did not mind using it because it smelled much better than harsh chemicals."

having a pleasant or sweet-smelling aroma

"The flowers are fragrant."

"The fragrant flowers in the garden attracted bees and butterflies and the sweet smell drifted through the open window into the kitchen where she was baking bread."

having a delightful aroma

"The candle is scented."

"The scented candle filled the room with the warm aroma of vanilla and cinnamon and it made the small apartment feel cozy and inviting during the cold winter months."

infused or treated with a fragrance, typically through the application of a scented substance like perfume, to impart a pleasant smell

"The soap is perfumed."

"The perfumed lotion smelled like roses and lavender and she applied it every morning after her shower to keep her skin soft and fragrant throughout the day."

possessing a distinct or recognizable scent, often unpleasant

"The cheese is odorous."

"The odorous cheese was so strong that the delivery man refused to bring it inside the house and he left the package on the front porch instead."

causing or capable of provoking a sensation of disgust or nausea

"The smell is nauseating."

"The nauseating smell of the rotten food made her gag and she had to hold her breath while she threw the entire container into the outside trash bin."

having a pleasant and sweet aroma

"The rose is sweet-smelling."

"The sweet-smelling flowers in the meadow attracted bees and butterflies and the children ran through the field laughing and picking bouquets for their mothers."

having a pleasing smell or fragrance

"The jasmine is sweet-scented."

"The sweet-scented air after the rain reminded her of her grandmother's garden and she felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her as she walked through the park."