scent (scents plural & 3rd person present) (scenting present participle) (scented past tense & past participle )
1 n-count The scent of something is the pleasant smell that it has.
usu with supp
(=fragrance)
Flowers are chosen for their scent as well as their look.
2 verb If something scents a place or thing, it makes it smell pleasant.
Jasmine flowers scent the air... V n
Scent your drawers and wardrobe with your favourite aromas. V n with n
3 n-mass Scent is a liquid which women put on their necks and wrists to make themselves smell nice.
(BRIT)
(=perfume)
She dabbed herself with scent.
in AM, use perfume
4 n-var The scent of a person or animal is the smell that they leave and that other people sometimes follow when looking for them.
usu with supp
A police dog picked up the murderer's scent...
5 verb When an animal scents something, it becomes aware of it by smelling it.
no cont
(=smell)
...dogs which scent the hidden birds. V n