Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, 3rd edition

Sounds and smells

Sounds
Be careful to use the right verb with sound. listen If you deliberately try to hear something, use the verb listen. I was listening to a CD while I was waiting for Mike. Listen! Theres that strange noise again! If you receive or become aware of sound, use the verb hear. Suddenly, I heard a voice outside.

hear

The following sentences contain words describing the loudness of a sound. Loud sounds are at the top of the list and quieter sounds are at the bottom. For more information, look in the dictionary for the words in bold. The word in brackets tells you the part of speech of the word in bold. loud The winning goal was met with a deafening (adjective) roar . They were woken by a loud (adjective) bang like a gun going off. Those dogs were making a terrible racket (noun) last night. The students held a noisy (adjective) demonstration. There was so much trafc noise (noun) that he couldnt sleep The sound (noun) of voices came from upstairs. Inside the church it was quiet (adjective) and peaceful. Her voice sounded faint (adjective) and distant. The court was silent (adjective) as the men walked in.

quiet

Smells
The verb smell can mean different things: to become aware of a smell: I can smell gas! to have a particular smell: This milk smells bad. to try to breathe in the smell of something: Smell these owers. There are several words in English meaning a smell. Some refer to pleasant smells while others are used for unpleasant smells. The following list shows pleasant smells at the top and less pleasant smells at the bottom. For more information, look in the dictionary for the words in bold. The word in brackets tells you the part of speech of the word in bold. Good There was a wonderful aroma (noun) of fresh coffee. The roses lled the air with their sweet fragrance (noun). I love the smell (noun) of wood smoke. The air was lled with the scent (noun) of damp earth. There was a smell (noun) of fresh paint. Pure water is completely odourless (adjective). Pick up your smelly (adjective) socks and put them in the washing machine! Your clothes stink (verb) of cigarettes! The stench (noun) coming from the toilets made me feel sick. Len reeks (verb) of alcohol. The room had a stale odour (noun) of cigarettes and beer .

Neutral

Bad

Cambridge University Press 2008