Similes for Smell: The Secret That Writers Always Use

Similes for smell are figurative comparisons that describe scents vividly by relating them to familiar things, making writing more expressive, relatable, and memorable.

Similes are literary tools that compare two different things using words like “as” or “like”. They help transform ordinary descriptions into vivid, sensory experiences. When it comes to smell, similes for smell can make readers feel the aroma, whether it’s sweet, pungent, or nostalgic. Writers, students, and creative learners often use these similes to enrich their writing, poetry, or storytelling.

In this article, you’ll find 35 unique similes for smell, complete with meanings, examples, and creative usage tips. By the end, you’ll be ready to make your descriptions come alive with scent in your writing. 🌞

1. As fresh as morning dew

Meaning: Describes a scent that is clean, crisp, and refreshing.
Quote: The kitchen smelled as fresh as morning dew after her mother baked bread.
Examples:

The garden smelled as fresh as morning dew after the rain.
His cologne was as fresh as morning dew, instantly uplifting the room.
The flowers in the vase smelled as fresh as morning dew.

2. Like roses in bloom

Meaning: A scent that is floral, sweet, and pleasant.
Quote: Her perfume was like roses in bloom, captivating everyone around.
Examples:

The garden smelled like roses in bloom all spring.
The soap left her hands smelling like roses in bloom.
The air was like roses in bloom after the rain.

3. As pungent as garlic

Meaning: A strong, sharp, and often spicy smell.
Quote: The kitchen smelled as pungent as garlic, making mouths water.
Examples:

The stew was as pungent as garlic when it first simmered.
His shoes smelled as pungent as garlic after the soccer match.
The cheese had an aroma as pungent as garlic.

4. Like freshly baked bread

Meaning: Warm, comforting, and inviting scent.
Quote: The bakery smelled like freshly baked bread, drawing customers in.
Examples:

The morning kitchen was like freshly baked bread.
Her hands smelled like freshly baked bread after cooking.
The café was cozy, smelling like freshly baked bread.

5. As sweet as honey

Meaning: A rich, sugary, and pleasant aroma.
Quote: The candy shop smelled as sweet as honey, irresistible to children.
Examples:

The flowers in the garden smelled as sweet as honey.
Her perfume was as sweet as honey.
The cookies baking smelled as sweet as honey.

6. Like wet earth after rain

Meaning: Earthy, fresh, and natural scent often associated with calm.
Quote: The forest smelled like wet earth after rain, serene and grounding.
Examples:

The garden smelled like wet earth after rain.
Walking through the park felt refreshing, smelling like wet earth after rain.
The soil smelled like wet earth after rain.

7. As sharp as vinegar

Meaning: A sour, strong, or biting smell.
Quote: The kitchen smelled as sharp as vinegar after the pickles were made.
Examples:

The cleaning solution smelled as sharp as vinegar.
The sauce was as sharp as vinegar, awakening the senses.
His shoes emitted an odor as sharp as vinegar.

8. Like cinnamon and spice

Meaning: Warm, spicy, and comforting scent.
Quote: The bakery smelled like cinnamon and spice, cozy and inviting.
Examples:

The candles smelled like cinnamon and spice.
Her cookies were like cinnamon and spice in aroma.
The air in winter smelled like cinnamon and spice.

9. As metallic as iron

Meaning: A sharp, cold, or tangy scent often reminiscent of blood or metal.
Quote: The laboratory smelled as metallic as iron, sterile yet intense.
Examples:

The coins smelled as metallic as iron.
The cut on his finger smelled as metallic as iron.
The rain-soaked street smelled as metallic as iron.

10. Like burning wood

Meaning: Smoky, warm, and nostalgic scent.
Quote: The campfire smelled like burning wood, bringing back childhood memories.
Examples:

The fireplace smelled like burning wood.
The barbecue smelled like burning wood in the backyard.
The forest trail smelled like burning wood from distant fires.

11. As fruity as a mango

Meaning: Sweet, tropical, and vibrant scent.
Quote: Her perfume was as fruity as a mango, cheerful and lively.
Examples:

The smoothie smelled as fruity as a mango.
The summer market was as fruity as a mango.
The candle smelled as fruity as a mango.

12. Like fresh laundry

Meaning: Clean, soft, and comforting scent.
Quote: The bedroom smelled like fresh laundry, inviting and warm.
Examples:

The hotel room smelled like fresh laundry.
Her sheets smelled like fresh laundry.
The closet smelled like fresh laundry after spring cleaning.

13. As rotten as eggs

Meaning: Foul, putrid smell.
Quote: The fridge smelled as rotten as eggs after being left closed for days.
Examples:

The garbage smelled as rotten as eggs.
The spoiled milk smelled as rotten as eggs.
The compost pile smelled as rotten as eggs.

14. Like coffee beans

Meaning: Rich, warm, and energizing scent.
Quote: The café smelled like coffee beans, awakening every customer.
Examples:

The morning kitchen smelled like coffee beans.
Her perfume had hints like coffee beans.
The bookshop smelled slightly like coffee beans.

15. As sweet as vanilla

Meaning: Soft, comforting, and sugary aroma.
Quote: The cake smelled as sweet as vanilla, inviting everyone to taste.
Examples:

The candle smelled as sweet as vanilla.
Her lotion smelled as sweet as vanilla.
The dessert smelled as sweet as vanilla.

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16. Like fresh pine needles

Meaning: Earthy, woody, and invigorating scent.
Quote: The forest smelled like fresh pine needles, crisp and refreshing.
Examples:

The Christmas tree smelled like fresh pine needles.
Hiking trails smelled like fresh pine needles.
The cabin smelled like fresh pine needles.

17. As smoky as incense

Meaning: Warm, mystical, and fragrant.
Quote: The temple smelled as smoky as incense, serene and calming.
Examples:

The living room smelled as smoky as incense.
The shop smelled as smoky as incense.
Her meditation space smelled as smoky as incense.

18. Like lemon zest

Meaning: Fresh, tangy, and invigorating scent.
Quote: The kitchen smelled like lemon zest, bright and lively.
Examples:

Her perfume smelled like lemon zest.
The lemonade stand smelled like lemon zest.
The cleaners smelled like lemon zest.

19. As fragrant as jasmine

Meaning: Sweet, delicate, and floral scent.
Quote: The garden smelled as fragrant as jasmine in full bloom.
Examples:

Her hair smelled as fragrant as jasmine.
The air at dusk smelled as fragrant as jasmine.
The perfume was as fragrant as jasmine.

20. Like wet dog

Meaning: Strong, musky, and unpleasant odor.
Quote: The park smelled like wet dog after the rain.
Examples:

His shoes smelled like wet dog.
The fur coat smelled like wet dog.
The kennel smelled like wet dog.

21. As spicy as curry

Meaning: Warm, pungent, and aromatic scent.
Quote: The kitchen smelled as spicy as curry, tempting everyone.
Examples:

The restaurant smelled as spicy as curry.
The perfume was as spicy as curry.
The dish smelled as spicy as curry.

22. Like peppermint candy

Meaning: Cool, refreshing, and sweet scent.
Quote: The room smelled like peppermint candy, crisp and cheerful.
Examples:

The toothpaste smelled like peppermint candy.
The candle smelled like peppermint candy.
Her breath was fresh, like peppermint candy.

23. As earthy as mushrooms

Meaning: Natural, damp, and forest-like aroma.
Quote: The kitchen smelled as earthy as mushrooms after the harvest.
Examples:

The forest smelled as earthy as mushrooms.
The soil smelled as earthy as mushrooms.
The compost smelled as earthy as mushrooms.

24. Like fresh berries

Meaning: Sweet, fruity, and fragrant scent.
Quote: The pie smelled like fresh berries, making mouths water.
Examples:

The market smelled like fresh berries.
The smoothie smelled like fresh berries.
The candle smelled like fresh berries.

25. As musty as old books

Meaning: Slightly stale, dry, and dusty aroma.
Quote: The library smelled as musty as old books, cozy and historic.
Examples:

The attic smelled as musty as old books.
The bookstore smelled as musty as old books.
The old letters smelled as musty as old books.

26. Like roasted coffee

Meaning: Warm, strong, and inviting aroma.
Quote: The café smelled like roasted coffee, drawing people in.
Examples:

The kitchen smelled like roasted coffee.
Her perfume had hints like roasted coffee.
The bakery smelled like roasted coffee.

27. As rich as chocolate

Meaning: Sweet, warm, and indulgent scent.
Quote: The cake smelled as rich as chocolate, irresistible to all.
Examples:

The dessert smelled as rich as chocolate.
Her lotion smelled as rich as chocolate.
The air was filled as rich as chocolate.

28. Like burning leaves

Meaning: Smoky, autumnal, and nostalgic aroma.
Quote: The backyard smelled like burning leaves, evoking fall memories.
Examples:

The forest smelled like burning leaves.
The bonfire smelled like burning leaves.
The air carried a scent like burning leaves.

29. As tangy as oranges

Meaning: Fresh, zesty, and citrusy scent.
Quote: The kitchen smelled as tangy as oranges, uplifting and fresh.
Examples:

The smoothie smelled as tangy as oranges.
Her perfume smelled as tangy as oranges.
The market smelled as tangy as oranges.

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30. Like fresh herbs

Meaning: Green, aromatic, and refreshing scent.
Quote: The kitchen smelled like fresh herbs, lively and fragrant.
Examples:

The garden smelled like fresh herbs.
The salad smelled like fresh herbs.
The candle smelled like fresh herbs.

31. As smoky as barbecue

Meaning: Warm, appetizing, and nostalgic scent.
Quote: The backyard smelled as smoky as barbecue, making everyone hungry.
Examples:

The grill smelled as smoky as barbecue.
The campfire smelled as smoky as barbecue.
The kitchen smelled as smoky as barbecue.

32. Like vanilla bean

Meaning: Sweet, soft, and comforting aroma.
Quote: The bakery smelled like vanilla bean, welcoming every customer.
Examples:

The candle smelled like vanilla bean.
Her lotion smelled like vanilla bean.
The dessert smelled like vanilla bean.

33. As aromatic as spices

Meaning: Strong, flavorful, and warm scent.
Quote: The kitchen smelled as aromatic as spices, exciting the senses.
Examples:

The spice market smelled as aromatic as spices.
The curry smelled as aromatic as spices.
The perfume smelled as aromatic as spices.

34. Like fresh cut grass

Meaning: Green, fresh, and earthy scent.
Quote: The park smelled like fresh cut grass, bringing joy and nostalgia.
Examples:

The garden smelled like fresh cut grass.
The backyard smelled like fresh cut grass.
The field smelled like fresh cut grass.

35. As crisp as apples

Meaning: Sweet, fresh, and invigorating scent.
Quote: The orchard smelled as crisp as apples, making mornings delightful.
Examples:

The cider smelled as crisp as apples.
The perfume smelled as crisp as apples.
The fruit basket smelled as crisp as apples.

Conclusion 💬

In this article, you discovered 35 creative and expressive similes for smell. From the sweet aroma of honey to the earthy scent of wet soil, each simile helps writers convey emotions and experiences vividly. Using these similes can make your writing, poetry, or everyday descriptions more engaging, relatable, and memorable. 🌸

Try incorporating these similes into your next story, blog, or conversation, and watch your words come alive with scent.

Explore more similes about nature, life, and emotions on our site.

FAQ Section 🌞

Q1: What are the best similes for smell?
A1: The best similes for smell are vivid, relatable, and descriptive, such as as fresh as morning dew, like burning wood, or as sweet as honey.

Q2: How do you write a simile?
A2: A simile compares two things using like or as. Focus on sensory details to make descriptions vivid.

Q3: What’s the difference between a simile and a metaphor?
A3: A simile uses like or as to compare, while a metaphor makes a direct comparison without these words.

Q4: How can similes improve creative writing?
A4: Similes enrich writing by making abstract ideas tangible, creating imagery, and evoking emotions in readers.

Q5: Can similes for smell be used in poetry?
A5: Absolutely! Similes for smell are perfect for poetry, storytelling, and descriptive writing, bringing scents and emotions to life.

Noah Syntax

Noah Syntax is a linguistics lover who finds beauty in structure and rhythm. His writing combines precision with playfulness, decoding the secrets of language for everyday readers. At Simile Mind, Noah brings clarity, humor, and insight to every metaphor he explores.