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anosmia

anosmia

1 9.3
Loss of the ability to smell after a cold or head injury
  • noun
  • /əˈnɑzmiə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : anosmia
  • Anosmia is when a person loses their sense of smell.
  • anosmia category

Examples

  • Anosmia can be present from birth, or it can be caused by chronic sinusitis, head trauma from an accident, or simply the common cold.

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  • People with congenital anosmia have never been able to smell.

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  • I have anosmia... no sense of smell.

  • That world is very real to an estimated three million people in the UK who spend their lives with no sense of smell—a condition known as anosmia.

    Blog text (24)
  • The lifelong inability to smell, called congenital anosmia, is different from the smell destruction that can stem from trauma to the brain, olfactory nerve, or sinus cavity.

    Blog text (2)
  • Anosmia means the loss of smell, which can affect a person's ability to enjoy food.

  • People with anosmia may not be aware of hazards such as smoke or spoiled food.

  • Anosmia can be a frustrating condition for those who miss the scent of flowers and perfumes.

Synonyms

olfactory impairment
vsanosmia
  • Specialized
7.4

A condition where you cannot smell things like smoke or perfume

refers specifically to complete absence of the sense of smell
dysomia
vsanosmia
  • Specialized
9.9

A reduced or lost ability to smell things

is a total lack of smell rather than a partial disturbance
dysosmia
vsanosmia
  • Specialized
9.9

A problem with smelling that makes smells weak or wrong

is lack of smell instead of a change or distortion

Antonyms

1 8.4

The sense that lets you smell and tell smells apart

How Sensitive

keen nose
5.1
smell
95 1.0
olfactory impairment
  • Specialized
7.4
anosmia
  • Specialized
1 9.3

Surface Forms

anosmia singular
anosmias plural

Morphology

anosmia = smell (opaque) = an + osmia

Although the negative prefix 'an-' is visible, the element 'osmia' is a medical/Greek combining form not recognizable by average B1 learners, so the base is not transparently recoverable by form.

Etymology

Anosmia comes from the Greek parts a- meaning 'without' and osme meaning 'smell'. A helpful way to remember a- is to think of amoral, which means 'without morals'. That's why anosmia means being without the sense of smell.