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Glite Dictionary
olfactory perception

olfactory perception

6.6
The ability to notice and recognize smells with your nose
  • noun
  • /ɔlˈfæktəri pərˈsɛpʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : percepción olfativa
  • The chef's training emphasized the importance of olfactory perception in identifying fresh ingredients.

Examples

  • Our olfactory perception can distinguish thousands of different scents in the environment.

  • The scientist studied how aging affects olfactory perception in mammals.

  • Damage to the nasal cavity can impair olfactory perception and reduce the ability to enjoy food.

  • The olfactory perception of flowers is often associated with memories.

  • Many animals rely on olfactory perception to find food.

  • Many animals rely on olfactory perception to track their prey from great distances.

  • Human olfactory perception plays a crucial role in enjoying food since aromas greatly enhance flavor.

Synonyms

smell
vsolfactory perception
605 1.0

A scent you notice with your nose

refers specifically to the sensing and recognition process rather than odor as object
smelling
vsolfactory perception
33 1.0

The act of noticing a scent with your nose

includes recognizing and labeling odors, not only the act of perceiving
sense of smell
vsolfactory perception
27 2.8

The ability to notice and tell scents apart with the nose

stresses the full sensation and recognition sequence rather than mere capacity
olfaction
vsolfactory perception
1 8.4

The sense that lets you smell and tell smells apart

focuses on the active process of detecting and recognizing odors rather than just ability
olfactory sensation
vsolfactory perception
  • Specialized
6.9

A feeling you have when you smell something

emphasizes the full detecting and recognizing process beyond the immediate sensation

Surface Forms

olfactory perception singular
olfactory perceptions plural

Morphology

olfactory + perception

The meaning is directly and compositionally derivable from 'olfactory' (related to smell) + 'perception' (the process of becoming aware); together they straightforwardly mean perception via smell. This adj+noun combination follows a standard, cross-linguistic pattern and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Olfactory perception simply describes the process of 'detecting and recognizing smells': olfactory refers to the nose and perception means the act of sensing, so the phrase means noticing a scent when your nose and brain work together.