fire smell description creative writing

75 Words That Describe Smells – A Resource For Writers

Writers know that using the senses is a great way to make stories come alive. This post is about how writers could and should use words that describe smells .

Great writers use the  five senses  when they write. They make their stories real by allowing us to experience what their characters see, smell, hear, taste, and touch.

Using the senses is one of the best ways for writers to learn how to show and not tell.

I have written about words that describe  taste , and  touch , and sound in previous posts. We also have a post on words that describe colours . In this post, I am writing about words that describe smells.

About Smell

A smell is ‘the pleasant or unpleasant quality of something that you notice when you breathe in through your nose’. To smell is ‘to notice or recognise the smell of something’.

The Power Of Smell

Smell is one of the most powerful senses.

• It can transport us back in time in a moment. The sense of smell is more closely linked with memory than any of the other senses.
• It also evokes emotions. Smell is one of the most important reasons people are attracted to each other.
• It is one of our most important survival mechanisms. A bad smell warns us that we are in danger, for example, when we smell smoke or rotten food.

Writing Tip

Because of this power, writers can use the sense of smell to show a character ‘s background, or to move a plot forward.

Quite Interesting :

• You can say ‘I smelled’ or ‘I smelt’ if you are using the past tense of the verb. ‘Smelt’ is more commonly used in British spelling and ‘smelled’ is used in US spelling.
• If you lose your sense of smell you can feel isolated and cut-off from the world. The loss of the sense of smell can ‘affect one’s ability to form and maintain close personal relationships and can lead to depression’.
• Anosmia refers to the total loss of the sense of smell.

75 Words That Describe Smells

General words describing smells.

Use these words that describe smells when you are setting a scene.

• anosmic – odourless, no smell at all
• antiseptic – disinfectant smell / or no smell
• aroma – a smell that is strong but pleasant
• comforting – pleasant aroma
• delicate – subtle, faint, smell that is not overpowering
• evocative – a smell that makes you think of something, often something that you experienced in the past
• faint – a smell that is not strong
• fragrance – a sweet or pleasant odour
• heady – strongly aromatic, pungent, rich, intoxicating, spicy, piquant – not a mild smell
• heavy – a sweet and strong smell
• intoxicating – A smell that exhilarates, disorients, or excites
• laden – a literary word that describes a strong smell
• odour/odor (US spelling) – a smell
• odorous – a strong smell
• odourless – with no smell
• piquant – stinging, pungent, an aroma that tickles the nose.
• powerful –  a strong smell
• redolent – smelling of something
• reek – to smell strongly and unpleasantly
• scent – a particular smell, especially a pleasant one
• whiff – a slight smell of something

Words That Describe Unpleasant Smells

• acrid – a smell that is strong, bitter, and unpleasant in your nose and throat
• damp – a wet smell
• fetid – an unpleasant smell, usually caused by decay
• frowsty – an unpleasant smell caused by a lack of fresh air
• funky – a strong and unpleasant smell
• fusty – smells old, dusty, or damp
• high – an old-fashioned word that describes a strong flavour and smell
• malodorous – scented, aromatic, redolent, fragrant, stinking.
• musty – unpleasant, stale, and not fresh
• nasty – unpleasant smell
• nauseating – a smell that causes disgust, loathing, or revulsion
• noisome – extremely unpleasant, especially because of being very dirty or having a bad smell
• overpowering  – very strong smell
• pungent – a smell that is strong and sharp
• putrid – decaying and smelling very bad
• rancid – rancid food is no longer fresh and has an unpleasant smell
• rank – a strong unpleasant smell or taste
• ripe – a strong or unpleasant smell
• sickly – makes you feel sick
• smelly – an unpleasant smell
• sour – a taste or smell that is no longer fresh
• stale – not fresh or pleasant
• stench  – a very bad smell, especially of decay
• stinking – an unpleasant smell
• stuffy – a smell caused by an area with no fresh air in it

Words That Describe Pleasant Smells

• ambrosial – sweet smelling, fragrant, aromatic
• aromatic – perfumed, fragrant, scented, sweet smelling, pungent, usually pleasing
• bouquet – the particular smell of a wine or flower
• delicious – a pleasant smell
• fresh – a pleasant, newly made smell that can be clean, clear, cool, crisp, refreshing, sweet, warm
• fragrant – with a pleasant smell
• perfumed – pleasant to smell because perfume has been added or used, or it has a natural perfume
• rich – a smell that is strong in a pleasant way
• savoury/savory (US Spelling) – pleasant to  taste – spicy, pungent, flavoursome, and aromatic, salty but not sweet
• scented – a pleasant smell
• sweet  – a pleasant smell that is sweet
• tangy – a smell or taste that is strong and bitter in a pleasant way

Words That Smell Like Something

• citrusy – characteristic of citrus fruit in scent
• coppery – smelling of copper
• earthy – smelling like earth
• fishy – smelling like fish
• floral – smelling of flowers
• flowery – a flowery smell reminds you of flowers
• fruity – smelling like fruit
• gamy – having the distinctive fragrance of game
• garlicky – smelling of garlic
• leathery – smells like leather
• lemony – smells like lemon
• medicinal – smells like medicine
• minty – smelling of mint
• musky – similar to musk in smell
• peachy – similar to a peach in colour, taste, or smell
• smoky – smelling of smoke
• woody – an earthy smell, smelling of wood

Top Tip : Find out more about our workbooks and online courses in our shop .

© Amanda Patterson

If you enjoyed this post, read:

• 106 Ways To Describe Sounds
• 20 Words Used To Describe Specific Tastes And Flavours
• 209 Words To Describe Touch
• Three Simple Ways To Show And Not Tell
• 12 Crucial Things To Remember About Setting
• Cheat Sheets for Writing Body Language
• 20 Fun Ways To Find An Idea For A Plot
• Where Should You Begin Your Memoir?
• Use These 7 Gaslighting Phrases To Make Your Antagonist More Manipulative

Sources: https://www.macmillandictionary.com/thesaurus-category/british/smelling-unpleasant https://www.macmillandictionary.com/thesaurus-category/british/pleasant-smells https://www.macmillandictionary.com/thesaurus-category/british/smelling-like-a-particular-thing https://www.macmillandictionary.com/thesaurus-category/british/describing-smells-and-lack-of-smell https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/style-and-usage/descriptive-words-for-scents.html https://world-food-and-wine.com/describing-aroma

• Description , Show Don't Tell , Writing Resource , Writing Tips from Amanda Patterson

© Writers Write 2022

Igniting Passion: Describing Fire Creative Writing

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Finding inspiration: Exploring the power of fire in creative writing

Understanding the essence of fire: symbolism and its impact on storytelling, embracing the elements: techniques to bring fire to life in your writing, fueling creativity: using fire as a catalyst for character development, creating vivid imagery: descriptive writing techniques to depict fire effectively, mastering the art of tension: utilizing fire as a source of conflict and suspense, unleashing your inner fire: exercises to ignite passion in your writing, crafting powerful endings: the role of fire in symbolism and resolution, frequently asked questions, future outlook.

The hypnotic dance of flickering flames has captivated human beings for centuries, inspiring countless tales of courage, destruction, and rebirth. Fire, in all its forms, possesses a raw power that can evoke a wide range of emotions and ignite the imagination of writers. Whether it represents warmth and comfort, fierce determination, or uncontrollable chaos, fire has the ability to add depth and intensity to any piece of creative writing. Below, we delve into the multifaceted aspects of fire and explore how it can become a powerful tool in the hands of a skilled writer.

1. Sensory experience: When writing about fire, vividly describe the sights, sounds, and smells associated with it. Let readers feel the radiating heat on their skin, hear the crackling of burning wood, and catch a whiff of the smoky aroma lingering in the air. Such detailed sensory descriptions transport readers into the scene, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the story.

2. Symbolism and metaphor: Fire carries a wealth of symbolic meaning in literature. It can embody passion, transformation, or destruction, depending on the context. Use fire as a metaphor to convey intense emotions or to illustrate significant changes within your characters or plot. By skillfully utilizing this powerful imagery, you can tap into the subconscious associations readers have with fire, enriching the layers of meaning in your writing.

Fire, an enigmatic force that has fascinated humanity for centuries, possesses a profound symbolism that permeates numerous literary works. Its multifaceted nature has made it an essential element in storytelling, crafting narratives that captivate and resonate with readers. Symbolizing both destruction and rebirth, fire serves as a powerful metaphor, igniting a range of emotions and shedding light on various aspects of the human condition.

1. Fuel for Transformation: Fire’s transformative power lies in its ability to consume and renew. Just like a phoenix rising from the ashes, fire symbolizes growth and change in storytelling. It represents the cyclical nature of life, the destruction of the old to make way for the new. This symbolism can be seen in characters who undergo profound transformations, as they face intense trials and emerge stronger, like a blazing flame unhindered by obstacles.

2. Purity and Cleansing: Fire’s mesmerizing dance often denotes a purifying force, a means to cleanse or purify the world around it. Just as flames consume impurities, fire can serve as a symbolic tool for characters to confront their flaws and redeem themselves. It represents the journey of characters who rise above their past mistakes and find a sense of redemption or closure. In this way, fire’s symbolism reminds us that through struggle and introspection, our characters can find inner peace and achieve personal growth.

Techniques to Bring Fire to Life in Your Writing

Fire has always held a mysterious allure, captivating our senses and igniting our imagination. As writers, embracing the element of fire in our storytelling can add depth, intensity, and a touch of magic to our words. Whether you’re looking to describe a blazing inferno that engulfs a village or a flickering candle that illuminates a dimly lit room, here are some techniques to help bring fire to life in your writing:

• Use vivid imagery: Paint a vivid picture in your reader’s mind by using descriptive words that evoke the sensation of heat, brightness, and movement. Engage all of the senses by describing the crackling sound of the flames, the acrid scent of burning wood, and the scorching touch of fiery heat on the skin.
• Evoke emotion: Fire is an element that often stirs strong emotions in people. Tap into these emotions by exploring the power and symbolism of fire. Highlight how it can bring warmth and comfort, but also destruction and chaos. Use metaphors and analogies to convey the raw intensity and transformative nature of fire.
• Inject tension: Set the stage for your fiery scene by building anticipation and suspense. Describe the mounting pressure, the crackling anticipation, and the gradual intensification of the flames. Use short, punchy sentences and dynamic language to convey the escalating drama and keep your readers on the edge of their seats.
• Utilize fire-related symbolism: Fire is often associated with concepts such as passion, rebirth, destruction, and purification. Incorporate these symbols into your writing to add layers of meaning and depth. Explore the contrasts between the destructive and creative aspects of fire and how it can serve as a catalyst for change or transformation in your characters.

Mastering the art of bringing fire to life in your writing requires practice, attention to detail, and a keen imagination. By employing these techniques, you can captivate your readers and transport them into a world where flames dance and flicker, illuminating the path to unforgettable storytelling.

When it comes to developing compelling characters , writers are constantly seeking new and innovative tools. One often overlooked method is harnessing the power of fire to ignite and shape the essence of a character. Fire has long been a powerful symbol of transformation and rebirth, and when used deliberately, it can drive the evolution of our characters in fascinating ways.

By incorporating fire into the narrative, writers can introduce a multitude of character-building scenarios. Here are a few ways to utilize fire as a catalyst for character development:

• Burning Away the Past: Just as fire purifies and consumes what once was, it can serve as a conduit for a character to let go of their past traumas or mistakes. The act of willingly facing their demons in the flames can allow them to emerge stronger, liberated, and ready to embark on an exciting new path.
• Fanning the Flames of Passion: Fire signifies not only destruction but also passion and desire. By incorporating fire as a catalyst, writers can kindle intense emotions within their characters, pushing them to pursue their dreams with vigor and determination. The blaze of ambition fueled by the undying spirit can serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for our protagonists.
• Forging Resilient Heroes: As fire molds and tempers metal into strong and resilient forms, it can also shape our characters into heroes. Through trials by fire, characters can be tested, pushing them beyond their limits physically, mentally, or emotionally. These transformative experiences force them to confront their fears, hone their strengths, and emerge from the flames as heroes with unwavering resolve.

Embracing the symbolic power of fire within storytelling offers endless possibilities for character development. By infusing your narrative with the transformative nature of fire, you can ignite a journey of growth, self-discovery, and triumph for your characters that will keep readers mesmerized until the final page.

In order to effectively depict fire in writing, it is crucial to use descriptive techniques that create vivid imagery and engage the reader’s senses. By employing these techniques, you can transport your audience to the scorching heat and flickering flames of a fire, making the experience come alive on the page.

Here are some powerful descriptive writing techniques that can help you depict fire effectively:

• Similes and metaphors: Compare the fire to other objects or experiences to highlight its intensity and nature. For example, you could describe the flames as “dancing like wild serpents” or “consuming everything in their path like a ravenous beast.”
• Sensory details: Engage the reader’s senses by incorporating detailed descriptions of sight, sound, smell, touch, and even taste. Describe the flames as “licking the air with vivid hues of orange and red” and the crackling sound they make as “a symphony of snapping twigs and popping embers.”
• Personification: Grant the fire human qualities to create a deeper connection with the reader. The fire could be described as “hungry for destruction” or “dancing in rapturous joy.”
• Emotive language: Use words that evoke strong emotions to intensify the portrayal of fire. Phrases like “roaring inferno,” “devouring heat,” or “scorching fury” can help the reader feel the intensity and power of the flames.

By using these descriptive writing techniques, you can effectively depict fire in your writing, enabling your readers to experience the heat, ferocity, and mesmerizing beauty of a burning flame.

Fire, an element that has captivated humanity since its discovery, holds immense potential as a tool in storytelling. When harnessed correctly, fire can be the catalyst for gripping conflict and suspense, intensifying the emotional rollercoaster for readers and viewers alike. In this post, we will explore various ways to master the art of tension using fire as a powerful narrative device.

1. Symbolism and metaphor: Fire can be more than just a physical entity; it can represent deeper themes and evoke powerful emotions . Utilize fire as a metaphor for destruction, purification, or rebirth, depending on your narrative’s needs. Symbolic imagery of fire engulfing a crucial object or location can create a sense of impending doom, leaving readers on the edge of their seats.

2. Setting the stage: Fire’s natural intensity and ability to spread quickly make it the perfect tool for building suspense. Whether it’s a raging wildfire consuming a forest or a single candle flickering ominously in a dark room, use the environment to heighten tension. Describe the crackling sound, the swirling tendrils of smoke, and the searing heat, immersing your audience in the moment and making them feel the protagonist’s fear and desperation.

Writing is an art form that requires a certain level of passion and creativity to truly captivate an audience. If you find yourself in need of a little spark to reignite your writing prowess, look no further! Here are some exhilarating exercises that will help bring out your inner fire and inspire a renewed sense of passion in your words:

• Unleash your imagination: Take a moment to close your eyes and let your mind wander. Visualize scenes, characters, and emotions that make your heart race. Allow your thoughts to drift and flow without any constraints. Jot down the vivid images that come to mind and use them as fuel to infuse your writing with passion.
• Explore unfamiliar territories: Step out of your comfort zone and dive into unfamiliar genres, subjects, or writing styles. Challenge yourself to write a poem, a short story, or an article on a topic you’ve never considered before. Embrace the unknown and let the excitement of discovering new avenues fuel your writing with an electrifying energy.
• Find inspiration in everyday life: Look around you and absorb the beauty of the world. Pay attention to the intricacies of nature, the emotions of the people you encounter, or the little moments that often go unnoticed. Allow these experiences to seep into your writing, infusing it with a renewed zest for life and a sense of authenticity that resonates with readers.

By engaging in these invigorating exercises, you can rekindle the flame within and unleash your inner fire onto the pages of your writing. Remember, passion is contagious – if you write with fervor and enthusiasm, your readers will undoubtedly feel it, making for an unforgettable reading experience.

In literature, fire has long been a powerful symbol, capable of conveying a wide range of emotions, themes, and ideas. Whether it appears as a destructive force or a source of warmth and illumination, fire serves as a catalyst for change and transformation in storytelling. Through its association with destruction, rebirth, and purification, fire often plays a central role in shaping the resolution of narratives.

One of the primary symbolic functions of fire is its ability to represent destruction and chaos. As flames consume everything in their path, they mirror the conflicts and challenges that characters face. The destructive power of fire can serve as a metaphor for the inevitable destruction of old ways of thinking or outdated institutions, paving the way for new beginnings and fresh perspectives. Moreover, fire’s capacity to reduce objects to ash signifies the eradication of the old and the opportunity for growth and renewal.

• Rebirth: Fire’s ability to destroy not only represents the end of a story but also allows for new beginnings.
• Purification: Fire purges and cleanses, serving as a transformative force for characters and their surroundings.
• Light and Illumination: Fire’s warm glow and flickering flames provide a source of light and enlightenment, guiding characters towards resolution.

As readers, we are captivated by the symbolism of fire and its profound impact on storytelling. By understanding the multifaceted role of fire in literature, we can appreciate the intricate layers and themes that authors strive to convey. So next time you encounter flames dancing across the pages of a book, take a moment to reflect on the power of fire as it shapes the resolution and symbolism of the story.

Q: What is “Igniting Passion: Describing Fire Creative Writing” all about? A: “Igniting Passion: Describing Fire Creative Writing” is an article that delves into the art of describing fire through creative writing. It explores various techniques and tips to bring the essence and intensity of fire to life on paper.

Q: Why is fire such a fascinating topic for creative writing? A: Fire has always held a deep fascination for humans since ancient times. It represents both destruction and creation, power and warmth. As a symbol, fire evokes a wide range of emotions, making it an ideal subject for creative writing.

Q: What are some key elements to consider when describing fire? A: When describing fire, it’s important to tap into the sensory details such as the colors, textures, and sounds associated with fire. Additionally, exploring the feelings and emotions evoked by fire can create a powerful impact on the reader.

Q: How can one effectively convey the visual aspects of fire through writing? A: To effectively convey the visual aspects of fire, writers can use vivid and descriptive language. They can illustrate the flames’ dance, the shimmering glow, and the way fire throws long shadows. Incorporating similes and metaphors can also help readers visualize fire more vividly.

Q: How does sound play a role in describing fire? A: Sound is a crucial element in describing fire. The crackling of flames, the hissing of wood, or the rhythmic popping can create a soundscape that transports the reader into the scene itself. Choosing words that mimic these sounds will help engage the reader’s auditory imagination.

Q: How can writers capture the emotions associated with fire in their descriptions? A: Writers can capture the emotions associated with fire by exploring the varied feelings that fire evokes. It can symbolize warmth, vitality, and passion, or represent danger, destruction, and chaos. Describing the emotions of characters impacted by fire can also immerse the reader in the scene.

Q: What are some writing techniques that can enhance the description of fire? A: Metaphors, personification, and onomatopoeia are a few techniques that can enhance the description of fire. Metaphors compare fire to other elements, making the description more evocative. Personification can give fire a life force, attributing human characteristics, while onomatopoeia can recreate the sounds of fire through words.

Q: Can you provide any writing prompts related to the topic? A: Certainly! Here’s a prompt: “Describe a scene where a bonfire illuminates a group of people. Explore the colors, sounds, and emotions associated with the fire, and its impact on the characters.” Staying true to the theme of fire, this prompt encourages writers to ignite their imagination and experiment with their descriptive skills.

Q: Any final tips for writers looking to master the art of describing fire? A: Practice is key! Writers should take time to observe fire in various settings – from a cozy fireplace to a raging wildfire – and jot down their observations. Additionally, reading written works that beautifully describe fire can be a source of inspiration and guidance. Embrace experimentation and let your creativity fuel your descriptions.

In conclusion, exploring the art of describing fire through creative writing allows us to ignite our own passion for storytelling, drawing readers into a world of warmth, intensity, and wonder.

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27 Ways to Describe a Forest Fire: Words and Tips

Last Updated: September 19, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Lydia Stevens and by wikiHow staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA . Lydia Stevens is the author of the Hellfire Series and the Ginger Davenport Escapades. She is a Developmental Editor and Writing Coach through her company "Creative Content Critiquing and Consulting." She also co-hosts a writing podcast on the craft of writing called "The REDink Writers." With over ten years of experience, she specializes in writing fantasy fiction, paranormal fiction, memoirs, and inspirational novels. Lydia holds a BA and MA in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University. There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 29,573 times.

Forest fires are among nature’s greatest spectacles, which means that describing them can pose some challenges. How do you capture their color, heat, and intensity on the page? What words should you use? We’ll give you 27 strong words and synonyms to use when describing a blaze, as well as tips and samples to help you tame that fire and put it into writing.

Things You Should Know

• Use strong adjectives to convey the scene, like "blazing" or “scorching.”
• Including descriptions of the fire based on the 5 senses can help ground a reader. Describe how the fire and the area around it looks, smells, feels, sounds, and tastes.
• Study how other writers write about forest fires to inform your own writing and give you inspiration.

Words to Describe a Forest Fire

• You can also compare the forest fire to a place like Hades, a mythical setting that really establishes a vibe for a reader.

• Other good words are “conflagration” and “combustion.”

• “Searing” is a similar word that conveys the heat and damage a forest fire can do.

• Other effective figurative phrases like “ocean of fire” or “wall of flame.”

• Try something like “The forest fire devoured everything in its path” brings it to life and makes it more animated, like it has a mind of its own.
• Also try describing the fire as “hungry” or “greedy,” to give it a sense of personification and action.

• A similar term is “apocalyptic,” which is a strong adjective that offers a sense of doom.

• Words like “renewing” or “natural” help to convey a forest fire’s beneficial aspects.

• Another idea is to describe the trees or embers as “exploding,” to lend a more violent tone to the scene.

• Forest fires also “gleam” or are “blinding.”

• For example: “The forest fire’s smoke emitted a smoggy haze over the city that sat downwind of the blaze.”

• “The smoke from the fire stifled the fleeing animals and caused them to choke.”

• You might also say a fire “glowed” or “churned.”

Tips to Describe Fire in Your Writing

• Make a list of adjectives for each of the senses and try to incorporate some of these into your writing to really bring the scene to life.
• A fire might look bright or intense.
• A forest fire might smell like charred wood, or even just like a campfire.
• The area around a forest fire can taste like ash or smoke.
• Forest fires roar and crackle, which are great words to describe the sound.
• Finally, a forest fire is hot, of course–so hot it can scorch or sear whatever it touches.

• If you want the fire to come across as scary, try using words like “devouring” or “apocalyptic.”
• If you’re trying for a lighter or more optimistic mood, try words like “cleansing” or “renewing.”

• Readers make the best writers, because you're learning vocabulary that you may not have known before.

Example Descriptions of Fire

Expert Q&A

• ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/inferno
• ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/blaze
• ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/scorching
• ↑ https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/sea%20of%20flames
• ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/cataclysm
• ↑ https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/ecological-benefits-fire
• ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/burst
• ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/glare
• ↑ https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/experts-forest-fires-and-smog-332148
• ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/smolder
• ↑ https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/portfolio.newschool.edu/dist/2/14941/files/2017/06/WRITTING_5enses-209gmgv.pdf
• ↑ https://www.litcharts.com/literary-devices-and-terms/mood
• ↑ https://selfpublishing.com/setting-of-a-story/
• ↑ https://reporter.rit.edu/views/does-reading-really-improve-your-writing
• ↑ https://www.google.com/books/edition/Shardik/exKEDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover
• ↑ https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/08/20/1007478/california-wildfires-climate-change-heatwaves/
• ↑ https://www.gutenberg.org/files/178/178-h/178-h.htm
• ↑ https://freakonomics.com/podcast/how-to-be-better-at-death-ep-450/
• ↑ https://files.gabbart.com/200/little_house_on_the_prairie__pdfdrivecom_.pdf

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Describing Smells in Writing: Mastering the Art of Sensory Language

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on September 6, 2023

Categories Writing , Creative Writing

The art of describing smells in writing can elevate your work to an immersive experience for readers. The human sense of smell is closely linked to memory, making it a powerful tool for writers to evoke emotions and transport readers into the world they’ve created.

Capturing the essence of a scent in words can be challenging, but with a robust vocabulary and practiced skill, it’s a technique that greatly enhances storytelling.

Understanding the science of smell allows writers to appreciate how scents can influence our perception, emotions, and memories. Developing a robust vocabulary for scents, categorizing them, and accurately describing their intensity will enable writers to paint vivid, olfactory pictures for their readers.

Through practice, observation, and dedication to mastering this art, you will be able to create stories with rich sensory experiences that leave a lasting impact on your readers.

Key Takeaways

• Describing smells effectively in writing can create deeper, immersive experiences for readers.
• Developing a strong vocabulary and understanding the science of smell helps writers enhance their storytelling.
• Practice, observation, and a focus on accurately capturing sensory details lead to richer, more evocative writing.

The Science of Smell

The role of smell receptors.

Your sense of smell relies on specialized receptors in your nose. These receptors detect and identify various types of odor molecules present in the air you breathe. When these molecules reach your smell receptors, they send signals to your brain, which then interprets the scent. There are approximately 10 main categories of scent, such as fragrant, woody, fruity, and chemical.

Sense of Smell and Emotion

Smell has a unique relationship with emotion. Unlike other senses, the olfactory system is closely linked to the brain’s limbic system, which is responsible for processing emotions and memories. This connection essentially means that smells can evoke strong emotional responses, both positive and negative. For example, the scent of freshly baked cookies may bring feelings of comfort and nostalgia, while the odor of rotten food may trigger disgust or repulsion.

Smell and Memory

One of the most impactful aspects of smell is its connection to memory. The relationship between your sense of smell and memory is powerful due to the proximity of the olfactory system to the brain’s hippocampus and amygdala, which are vital for forming and storing memories. As a result, specific scents can bring back vivid memories, even ones that have been seemingly forgotten for a long time.

When incorporating smells into your writing, consider how they might connect with emotions and memories to create a more immersive reading experience for your audience. By effectively describing a variety of scents and the emotions they evoke, you’ll be better equipped to engage your readers and help them establish a strong connection with your narrative.

A Vocabulary for Scents

Adjectives to describe smells.

The world is filled with an incredible variety of scents, and to accurately describe them in your writing, it’s essential to have a diverse vocabulary at your disposal. By using specific adjectives, you can evoke the sensations and memories associated with different smells. Here are some categories of adjectives that will help you describe various scents:

• Fresh : crisp, clean, natural
• Earthy : loamy, musty, damp
• Floral : flowery, feminine, fragrant
• Fruity : citrusy, berry-like, zesty
• Woody : pine, resinous, bark
• Masculine : musky, leathery, smoky
• Chemical : acrid, pungent, rancid
• Sweet : honeyed, sugary, syrupy

These are just a few examples to get you started. Be creative and explore the vast array of adjectives available to you when describing smells in your writing.

Describing Smells through Associations

Another effective way to describe smells in your writing is through associations. Since our sense of smell is closely tied to memory, connecting a scent to a particular experience or situation can create a vivid and relatable description for your reader. By incorporating associations, you will make your descriptions more engaging and authentic.

For example, instead of simply stating that a room smells old, you could describe the scents of dusty, yellowed pages and mothballs, evoking the feeling of a long-forgotten library. Likewise, instead of stating that a bakery smells delicious, you could describe the aroma of warm, freshly-baked bread and buttery croissants wafting through the air.

When using associations to describe scents, consider the following tips:

• Draw upon personal experiences : Reflect on your own memories and emotions that certain scents evoke, and use them to enhance your descriptions.
• Utilize common or relatable experiences : Describe smells that your readers can easily recognize, enabling them to recall similar situations they’ve encountered in their own lives.
• Be specific and detailed : Provide rich and nuanced descriptions of smells, painting a vivid sensory picture for your reader.

Remember, the aim is to create a strong and evocative connection between your description and the scent you’re trying to convey. Experiment with different associations and adjectives to find the perfect way to capture a smell in your writing.

Categories of Smells

Natural scents.

When describing smells, think about the different categories of natural scents that you might encounter in the environment. For example, the scent of flowers can range from sweet and floral such as roses, to more earthy and green as in a pine forest. Fruity smells, like those of lemons or other fruits, often have a fresh and invigorating quality. Earthy smells are common in nature and can evoke a sense of being grounded in the environment. Use these natural scents in your writing to create vivid and authentic descriptions of your settings.

• Floral : rose, jasmine, lavender
• Fruity : lemon, apple, mango
• Green : pine, grass, eucalyptus
• Earthy : damp soil, rain, moss

Man-Made Smells

Man-made smells are those that originate from human activities or created products, such as perfume or sweat. Think about the characteristics of these scents and how they can add layers to your descriptions. Chemical smells can be harsh, pungent, or even nauseating, while perfume scents often bring sophistication or luxury. Describing the smell of sweat can help to convey an atmosphere of physical exertion, labor, or stress. Incorporate these man-made smells in your writing to enhance your storytelling or underscore certain emotions.

• Chemical : bleach, gasoline, ammonia
• Perfume : floral, musky, subtle
• Sweat : salty, metallic, pungent

Complex Scents

Complex scents are a blend of various smells that are often difficult to separate into distinct components. These scents can add depth and interest to your writing, as they are not easily identifiable or may evoke different experiences for different people. When capturing complex scents, consider the layers of smells present, such as a combination of fruity and floral notes or the merging of earthy and green scents. Describing complex scents in your writing can help create a sense of atmosphere and intrigue.

• Fruity floral : a blend of fruit and flower aromas
• Earthy-green : an intermingling of soils and plants
• Lemony-chemical : a mixture of citrus and synthetic elements

Remember to use a confident, knowledgeable, clear, and neutral tone when describing the various categories of smells in your writing. By using second person point of view (you, your, yours), your readers will feel more engaged and connected to the sensory experiences you are conveying.

Describing Intensity of Smells

Light and faint scents.

When describing light and faint scents in your writing, you can draw attention to the subtle nature of the aroma. These scents might require a character to take a deep breath to fully detect them, or they may be barely noticeable. Feel free to use words like delicate , mild , or soft to convey the lightness of a scent. For example, you can describe a gentle floral aroma wafting through the air on a spring day.

Heavy and Strong Scents

Heavy and strong scents are more distinct and tend to linger in the air or on objects. To describe these scents, choose words that evoke their intensity, like robust , rich , or even heady . Your character might walk into a room and immediately notice a heavy, smoky smell hanging in the air. Additionally, you can highlight the warmth associated with certain strong scents, like a spicy or hot aroma, to further convey their potency.

Overpowering Scents

Overpowering scents can be so intense that they dominate the senses and might even cause physical discomfort. When describing these powerful aromas, words like pungent , overwhelming , and intense can effectively convey their force. For instance, your character may feel their eyes watering and nose burning due to an overpowering scent of cleaning chemicals. Pay attention to the characters’ reactions to such smells to emphasize their impact on the scene.

Tips for Describing Smells in Writing

Relating smells to other senses.

When describing smells in your writing, try to relate them to other senses, like taste or touch. By doing this, you can create additional sensory connections for your reader. For example, you could mention that a certain smell is reminiscent of a particular taste or feeling, which can make it easier for the reader to imagine and relate to the described smell. Think about how smells often have similar attributes to tastes, like sweetness or sourness, and incorporate these into your descriptions.

Using Smells to Evoke Emotions

A powerful way to use smells in writing is by connecting them to emotions. As the sense of smell is closely linked to memory and feelings, associating a specific smell with a character’s emotions can effectively convey their state of mind and create an emotional bond with the reader. Consider how certain scents might evoke feelings of happiness, nostalgia, or even fear, and use that connection to enhance the emotional depth of your writing. For example, the smell of freshly baked bread might evoke feelings of warmth and comfort, while the smell of a damp basement might evoke feelings of unease or anxiety.

Choosing the Right Words

When describing smells, it’s essential to choose the right words to convey the message clearly. Be specific and avoid using vague or overly complex language. Instead, use concrete and descriptive terms that will paint a clear picture for the reader. Some helpful ways to do this include:

• Use adjectives : Employ a variety of adjectives to describe the smell’s qualities, such as sweet, pungent, or musty.
• Analogies and metaphors : Draw comparisons between the smell and other recognizable scents, tastes, or feelings to help the reader understand the sensory experience better.
• Onomatopoeia : Use words that imitate the sound associated with an object or action, such as “sizzle” or “pop,” to help your reader connect with the sensation of the smell.
• Show, don’t tell : Rather than merely stating that a character can smell something, describe the actual scent, the effect it has on the character, and the resulting emotions.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively describe smells in your writing, engaging your reader’s senses and creating a more immersive experience.

Examples of How to Describe Smells

Using smells in character descriptions.

To create vivid characters, writers can use descriptions of scents to convey personality traits and evoke emotions in the reader. For example, you can describe a character’s personal fragrance, such as earthy, floral, or crisp. These words can help characterize them as masculine, feminine, or even androgynous.

Here are a few examples of smells used in character descriptions:

• Her scent was a delicate mixture of lavender and vanilla, making her presence soothing and comforting.
• He carried the unmistakable aroma of fresh pine, evoking feelings of being in a forest.
• Their scent was a confusing blend of citrus and cinnamon, giving them an air of mystery and unpredictability.

Setting the Scene with Scents

In addition to character descriptions, you can use smells to help set the scene or create a mood in your writing. Descriptions of scents can transport your reader to different environments, providing an immersive experience and enriching your narrative.

Here are a few examples of using smells to establish a scene:

• The sweet smell of freshly baked pastries greeted her as she entered the cozy bakery.
• A salty sea breeze filled the air, transporting her back to summer days spent at the beach.
• The pungent odor of gasoline and burning rubber filled the bustling garage, immersing the reader in the world of auto repairs.

While describing smells in your writing, remember to keep the tone confident, knowledgeable, neutral, and clear. In doing so, your descriptions will be more effective and enriching for your readers.

Common Pitfalls in Describing Smells

Overuse of adjectives.

One common pitfall in describing smells is the overuse of adjectives. While adjectives are necessary to convey the intensity or quality of a smell, too many can leave the reader overwhelmed and confused. It’s important to strike a balance and use adjectives judiciously. Try to focus on choosing a few strong, specific adjectives that accurately convey the scent you’re describing. Using too many adjectives can also make your writing appear less polished and professional.

Describing Smell without Context

Another issue writers encounter when describing smells is neglecting to provide context. Smells don’t exist in isolation; they are often tied to a specific setting or situation. To make your descriptions more effective, try to include contextual details that will help the reader imagine the scent more vividly. For example, instead of simply describing a smell as “musty,” you might indicate that the musty odor is reminiscent of a damp, old basement, which not only grounds the scent in a physical space but also allows your reader to better visualize and understand the smell.

Ignoring the Readers’ Experiences and Associations

Finally, it’s important to consider your readers’ experiences and associations when describing smells. People’s interpretations of scents can vary widely due to their personal experiences and cultural backgrounds. What smells delicious to one person might be off-putting to another. In your descriptions, try to take these differences into account by using relatable, universal examples that most readers will understand. At the same time, avoid using highly subjective or personal associations that may not resonate with everyone. By keeping the reader in mind and considering their experiences, you can create more effective, engaging descriptions of smells in your writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i effectively convey scents in my writing.

To convey scents effectively in your writing, you should provide a vivid and specific description that helps the reader imagine the smell. Think about the different aspects of the scent – its intensity, its duration, and the sensations it evokes. Make connections with memories or emotions, and use sensory terms and similes to enhance the description.

What are some sensory terms used for describing various smells?

Sensory terms used for describing smells can be grouped into different categories, such as

• Floral (e.g., rose, jasmine)
• Fruity (e.g., citrus, berries)
• Earthy (e.g., damp soil, petrichor)
• Spicy (e.g., cinnamon, cloves)
• Sweet (e.g., vanilla, caramel)
• Pungent (e.g., ammonia, vinegar)

These terms help you create a more detailed and immersive experience for your reader.

What are some ways to describe a compelling fragrance?

When describing a compelling fragrance, consider:

• Its main scent (e.g., lavender, sandalwood)
• Its subtler notes (e.g., hints of lime or vanilla)
• The way it evolves over time (initial burst, heart notes, and base notes)
• The feelings it evokes (e.g., warmth, calm, energy)

Use comparisons and similes to make the description relatable and engaging.

How can I illustrate the smell of a person or an environment?

To illustrate the smell of a person or an environment, focus on the most characteristic and dominant scents associated with them. For a person, consider their perfume, body odor, or even the laundry detergent they use. For an environment, think of the combination of smells present, such as the saltiness of the sea, the vegetation, or the exhaust fumes in a city. Use sensory details and create a vivid description that transports your reader to the scene.

What phrases can be used to describe unpleasant odors?

Here are a few phrases you can use to describe unpleasant odors:

• Rancid or sour
• Musty or stale
• Overpowering or suffocating
• Acrid or sharp
• Fetid or rotten

Be creative with your language and comparisons to help your reader understand the intensity and nature of the unpleasant odor.

How can I incorporate the sense of smell into descriptions of natural surroundings?

To incorporate the sense of smell into descriptions of natural surroundings, focus on the most characteristic scents of the setting. Think about the smells associated with the place – the earthy aroma of a forest, the fresh scent of a meadow, the salty tang of the ocean, or the fragrant blossoms in a garden. Use descriptive language and draw connections with memories or emotions to enrich your depiction and engage your reader.

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A to Z Collection of Describing Words

100 Best Words to Describe Fire, Adjectives for Fire

Fire, a force of nature that has captivated humans since the dawn of time, holds a mesmerizing quality that terrifies and enchants. From its primal allure to its destructive power, fire has been central to myth, storytelling, and human survival for centuries.

Table of Contents

As we delve into the world of adjective words to describe fire, we uncover an array of adjectives that evoke the diverse manifestations of flames. From intense and fierce to soothing and radiant, these words offer us glimpses into the multifaceted nature of fire.

Exploring these adjectives enhances our ability to communicate about fire and allows us to tap into the symbolism, energy, and raw power associated with this primal element. Join us on a journey through evocative language as we seek to discover the perfect adjectives for capturing the essence of fire in all its blazing glory.

Here are the 30 most common adjectives for fire:

Words to Describe Fire

Here are all useful words that describe Fire:

• Blazing : Emitting flames or a strong, bright light; extremely hot or intense.
• Burning : Engulfed in flames; experiencing intense heat or sensation.
• Fiery : Characterized by a passionate, intense, or spirited nature; resembling fire.
• Glowing : Emitting a steady, warm light without flames; radiating heat, or a healthy appearance.
• Hot : Having a high temperature, often to the point of causing discomfort or burning.
• Warm : Moderately high in temperature in a pleasant way; slightly hot.
• Bright : Emitting or reflecting a large amount of light; vivid or intense in color.
• Flickering : Displaying a light that is unsteady or rapidly changing in brightness.
• Flaming : Engulfed with flames; exhibiting a bright, fiery color.
• Scorching : Extremely hot; capable of causing burns or parching.
• Radiant : Emitting heat or light; glowing brightly and healthily.
• Sizzling : Making a hissing sound when in contact with heat, indicating extreme temperature.
• Sparkling : Shining brightly with flashes of light; lively and vivacious.
• Roaring : Making a deep, loud, and continuous sound, often associated with a large fire.
• Smoldering : Burning slowly with smoke but no flame; showing suppressed feelings of anger or hatred.
• Incandescent : Emitting light as a result of being heated; glowing with intense heat.
• Luminous : Bright or shining, especially in the dark; full of light.
• Scalding : Very hot; having a temperature that can cause burns or pain.
• Red-hot : Extremely hot; glowing with heat.
• Blistering : Very hot; intense enough to cause blisters.
• Illuminating : Emitting or providing light; making something clear and understandable.
• Enflamed : Set on fire; inflamed or aroused to a high degree of emotion or excitement.
• Crackling : Making a series of small, sharp, sudden noises, as of something burning or breaking.
• Flaring : Burning or shining with a sudden intensity; spreading outward from a source.
• Searing : Extremely hot or intense; causing a burning sensation.
• Intense : Of extreme force, degree, or strength; very strong or powerful.
• Infernal : Relating to or resembling hell, especially in heat; fiendishly diabolical.
• Smoky : Filled with or emitting smoke; having the aroma or taste of smoke.
• Charred : Partially burnt, causing a dark or blackened surface.
• Ashen : Resembling ashes; pale, typically due to shock, fear, or illness.
• Emblazing : Making more visible or noticeable with light or color; adorning brightly.
• Torrid : Extremely hot and dry; full of passionate or highly charged emotions.
• Ardent : Very enthusiastic or passionate; burning with intensity.
• Combustible : Capable of catching fire and burning; inflammable.
• Explosive : Liable to lead to sudden outbursts or bursts of fire or violence.
• Volcanic : Relating to or resembling a volcano; capable of erupting in violence or anger.
• Raging : Very intense, violent, or fierce; uncontrolled or unrestrained.
• Sweltering : Uncomfortably hot and humid; oppressively hot.
• Consuming : Engulfing completely; very intense.
• Glaring : Shining with a harsh, blinding light; staring fiercely.
• Kindle : To start a fire; to light up, or to inspire.
• Ablaze : In flames; glowing with light and heat.
• Ignited : Set on fire; caused to burn.
• Heated : Made hot or hotter; inflamed with passion or anger.
• Feverish : Having a temperature above the normal; displaying a frenetic excitement or energy.
• Pyretic : Relating to or causing fever; feverish.
• Molten : Made liquid by heat; melted.
• Broiling : Subjected to intense heat; extremely hot.
• Toasty : Comfortably warm and cozy; slightly toasted or warmed up.
• Blazingly : In an extremely bright, fiery, or intense manner.
• Candlelit : Illuminated by the light of candles; having a soft, warm glow.
• Caustic : Capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue; severely critical or sarcastic.
• Sultry : Hot and humid; sexually attractive in a way that suggests a passionate nature.
• Thermal : Related to heat; designed to retain body heat.
• Conflagrant : On fire; burning.
• Fervent : Having or displaying a passionate intensity; extremely hot.
• Flamy : Resembling or characteristic of flames; ardently passionate.
• Gleaming : Shining brightly, especially with reflected light.

Adjectives For Fire (List)

Here is a Huge list of Fire related Adjectives:

Positive Adjectives for Fire:

Negative Adjectives for Fire:

Unique Adjectives for Fire

Explore More:

Adjectives for Fireplace | Sun | Fire Fighter | Dragon  | Rage

Other Words to Describe Fire

Words to describe fire burning.

• Ignite : To set on fire; to start burning.
• Consume : To destroy or burn something completely.
• Engulf : To surround or cover completely, often used in the context of fire.
• Incinerate : To burn or reduce to ashes.
• Blister : To cause the surface to become damaged due to intense heat.
• Char : To partially burn to blacken the surface.
• Combust : To catch fire and burn.
• Scald : To burn with hot liquid or steam.
• Smolder : To burn slowly with smoke but without flames.
• Inflame : To set on fire or to excite to an excessive degree.
• Cremate : To burn a corpse as part of a funeral ceremony.
• Kindle : To start a fire or ignite.
• Torch : To set fire to; to cause to burn brightly.
• Enkindle : To light up; to make bright with fire.
• Flare : To burn with a sudden and unsteady light.
• Raze : To destroy by fire.
• Devour : To consume destructively, engulf.
• Aflame : In flames; burning.
• Cinder : A small piece of partly burned coal or wood.
• Sear : To burn or scorch the surface of something with a sudden, intense heat.

Beautiful words That Mean Fire

• Pyre : A heap of combustible material, especially one for burning a corpse as part of a funeral ceremony.
• Inferno : A large fire that is dangerously out of control; often used to describe intense situations.
• Phoenix : A mythical bird that is reborn from its ashes, symbolizing renewal or rebirth through fire.
• Solstice : Either of the two times in the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator, often associated with rituals involving fire.
• Ember : A small piece of burning or glowing coal or wood in a dying fire.
• Flambeau : A flaming torch, especially one used in nighttime ceremonies or processions.
• Beacon : A fire or light set up in a high or prominent position as a warning, signal, or celebration.
• Brazier : A portable heater consisting of a pan or stand for holding lighted coals.
• Lantern : A lamp with a transparent case protecting the flame or electric bulb, used to illuminate or signal.
• Candle : A cylinder or block of wax or tallow with a central wick that is lit to produce light as it burns.
• Luminary : A body that gives light; used metaphorically for someone who inspires or influences others.
• Spark : A tiny shining particle or a small fiery particle thrown off from a fire.
• Illumine : To light up; brighten.
• Radiance : Light or heat as emitted or reflected by something.
• Glow : A steady light without flames; warmth of color or feeling.
• Flare : A sudden burst of flame or light.
• Lustrous : Shining, glowing.
• Incandescence : Light from heat; the phenomenon of glowing due to high temperature.
• Flicker : A small, quick wave of light; often used to describe the unstable light of a small flame.
• Aurora : The dawn or a natural light display in the sky, particularly in the polar regions, caused by the collision of charged particles from the sun with atoms in the high-altitude atmosphere.

Poetic Words to Describe Fire

• Ethereal : Extremely delicate and light in a way that seems not of this world; often used to describe the delicate nature of flames.
• Celestial : About the sky or visible heaven, or to the universe beyond the earth’s atmosphere, often used metaphorically for fire’s untouchable quality.
• Ephemeral : Lasting for a very short time, capturing the transient nature of flames.
• Ineffable : Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words; often used to describe the indescribable beauty of fire.
• Seraphic : Characteristic of or resembling a seraph or seraphim, known for their fiery passion.
• Ablaze : Full of strong emotion; passionate, or in literal terms, caught in fire.
• Scintilla : A tiny trace or spark of a specified quality or feeling, reminiscent of the spark before a flame.
• Vivid : Producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind; as bright flames do.
• Lambent : Glowing, gleaming, or flickering with a soft radiance, typically used to describe gentle flames.
• Iridescent : Showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles, much like the dynamic colors of fire.
• Incandescent : Emitting light as a result of being heated, often used to describe passionate or brilliant qualities.
• Ardor : Enthusiasm or passion, often used to describe the fervor of fire.
• Vestal : Pure, chaste, or virginal; historically associated with the vestal virgins who tended sacred fires.
• Pyrotechnic : Relating to fireworks or their manufacture, capturing the spectacular and artistic aspect of fire.
• Luminiferous : Emitting or reflecting light, reminiscent of fire’s ability to illuminate.
• Ignis Fatuus : A phosphorescent light seen at night over marshy ground, often attributed to combustion; used poetically to describe misleading or elusive lights.
• Conflagration : A large and destructive fire, often used in literature to describe intense and catastrophic fires.
• Candescent : Glowing with heat; becoming incandescent, used to describe the intense brightness of a fire.
• Prismatic : Relating to or having the form of a prism, often used to describe the spectrum of colors in flames.
• Fulgent : Shining brightly; resplendent, often used in poetry to describe the brilliant light of fire.

Fire Description Words

• Blistering : Extremely hot to the point of causing blisters.
• Crackling : Making a series of small, sharp noises as wood burns.
• Dancing : Flames move lightly and quickly in a way that resembles dancing.
• Devouring : Consuming everything in its path with great intensity.
• Flickering : Flames moving unsteadily; shifting rapidly in brightness.
• Glowing : Emitting a steady, soft light; the embers of a dying fire.
• Hissing : The sound of fire as it consumes wet wood or other materials.
• Illuminating : Casting light over an area, making things visible in the dark.
• Intense : Extremely strong or concentrated; describing the heat or power of the fire.
• Leaping : Flames moving upwards rapidly as if jumping.
• Mesmerizing : Captivating or hypnotizing, often used to describe the allure of watching fire.
• Pulsating : Expanding and contracting with regular movements, like the heartbeats of the fire.
• Radiating : Emitting energy, especially heat or light, in all directions.
• Raging : Very intense or violent; describing a fire that is out of control.
• Roaring : Making a deep, loud, and continuous sound, indicative of a large, intense fire.
• Scorching : Burning or charring something to affect its color or composition.
• Searing : Extremely hot; burning or scorching the surface of something.
• Smoldering : Burning slowly with smoke but without flame, often indicative of an impending flare-up.
• Soothing : Offering a sense of calm or comfort, often used to describe the effect of a gentle fire in a fireplace.
• Warming : Giving off heat; making the surrounding area warmer.

Synonyms of Fire

How to Describe Fire in Creative Writing?

• Sensory Details : Use the five senses to describe fire, such as the crackling sound it makes, the warmth it radiates, the bright colors of the flames, the smell of burning wood, and even the taste of smoke in the air.
• Emotional Response : Describe the emotional impact the fire has on characters or the scene, such as feeling comforted by a cozy fireplace, terrified by a raging wildfire, or mesmerized by a campfire’s dancing flames.
• Metaphorical Language : Use metaphors and similes to compare the fire to something else, making its description more vivid and imaginative. For example, “The flames danced like wild spirits” or “The fire roared like an angry beast.”

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KathySteinemann.com: Free Resources for Writers

Word lists, cheat sheets, and sometimes irreverent reviews of writing rules. kathy steinemann is the author of the writer's lexicon series..

500+ Ways to Describe Fire: A Word List for Writers

Fire, Flames, Inferno …

Since ancient times, humans have known about fire. We have feared it, welcomed its warmth , and harnessed its power.

John Wesley said that if you catch on fire, people will come for miles to see you burn. He understood the intrinsic attraction flames represent for most people.

The Greek philosopher Plutarch said that the mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.

One of Ray Bradbury’s characters in Fahrenheit 451 voiced his thoughts about fire: “It’s perpetual motion; the thing man wanted to invent but never did. … If you let it go on, it’d burn our lifetimes out. … It’s a mystery. … Its real beauty is that it destroys responsibility and consequences. … Antibiotic, aesthetic, practical.”

Would your WIP benefit from a few flames?

Careful selection of adjectives reveals opinions .

An arsonist might refer to a structure fire as irresistible, majestic, or resplendent. However, a fire fighter might view it as catastrophic, devastating, or uncontrolled. Maybe a couple in love would gaze at the flames in a fireplace and consider them beautiful, cheerful, or romantic. An ancient priest?  Perhaps his fire is ceremonial, holy, or sacred.

Choose descriptors with care, researching the definitions if necessary. For example, pyrotechnic refers to grandiose displays such as fireworks or a rock band’s lightshow, while pyrotechny , although sometimes used interchangeably with pyrotechnic , more correctly refers to the use of fire in alchemy.

Beware flammable and inflammable . Some readers will think the first word means “to catch fire easily” while the second means “impervious to fire.” But these words share the same definition: “easily set on fire.” Better to stick with straightforward words such as combustible and fireproof.

In addition to the words in the following list, you can create many adjectives by adding -ing or -ed suffixes to verbs.

A and B ablaze, accidental, aflame, alight, angry , benign, beautiful , blinding, bright, brilliant, brisk, brutal

C capricious, catastrophic, celestial, ceremonial, cheerful, cheery, chemical, clean-burning, cleansing, close, coal, cold, concentrated, constant, contained, cozy, cruel

D dangerous, dead, deadly, deliberate, deliberately set, dense, destructive, devastating, disastrous, distant, divine, dormant

E effulgent, electrical, elemental, empyreal, endless, enraged, erratic, ethereal, everlasting, evil, expansive, explosive

F to H feeble, fiendish, fierce, forked, furious, gas, ghostly, glorious, greedy, harmless, hazardous, heavenly, hellish, historic, holy, huge, hungry

I impure, incandescent, incessant, indefatigable, ineffectual, inefficient, infernal, infinite, innocuous, insatiable, intense, invincible, invisible, irresistible

L and M latent, life-threatening, liquid, live, luminous, magical, majestic, malevolent, malignant, massive, memorable, merciless, molten, monstrous, murderous, mystical

N to P noiseless, noisy , open, out-of-control, Pentecostal, perpetual, persistent, phantom, phosphorous, pitiless, pleasant, portentous, potent, purgatorial, purposeless, pyrotechnic

Q and R quenchless, radiant, radioactive, random, rapid, ravenous, raw, red-hot, relentless, resplendent, righteous, rolling, romantic, ruthless

S sacred, sacrificial, savage, silent, sinister, slow, sluggish, small, smokeless, sporadic, subterranean, sulfurous, suspicious, swift

T and U terrible, thermonuclear, thick, torrid, unceasing, uncontrollable, uncontrolled, unending, unexpected, unholy, unquenchable, unremitting, untamed, useful, useless

V and W vehement, vicious, vigorous, volatile, volcanic, wanton, warm, wasteful, wayward, welcome, white-hot, widespread, wild, wondrous, wood-burning, wrathful

Similes and Metaphors

Many similes and metaphors border on cliché. Try to replace them with more direct terms ( except in dialogue ). For example:

hot as fire: blistering, boiling, broiling, searing, sizzling, torrid

like a house on fire: fast, speedy; dynamic, robust, vigorous

spread like wildfire: disseminate or circulate rapidly

fire of passion: ardor, fervor, fever, hunger, lust

fiery anger: fury, outrage, rage, wrath

Many fuels produce colorful flames. Pyrotechnic displays take advantage of this fact.

blue: butane, copper chloride (cuprous chloride)

green: borax, (laundry additive, ant traps), boric acid, copper sulfate (cupric sulfate)

orange: calcium chloride, sodium chloride (table salt)

pink: potassium chloride

red: lithium chloride, strontium chloride, strontium nitrate

yellow: barium chloride

Carbon monoxide burns orange or yellow, whereas a properly functioning gas stove will burn blue. Hot candle flames are light blue, cooling to yellow, then orange, and finally, red.

See also 1000+ Ways to Describe Colors .

Characters and/or objects might:

• add paper, coal, or wood to a fire
• blow on a fire
• build a fire
• bury a fire, embers, or coals
• cast fireballs
• cloak a fire
• conceal a fire
• cook over a fire
• cuddle next to a fire
• discharge tendrils of fire
• douse a fire with water, dirt, or sand
• dry hair, body, or clothing in front of a fire
• escape a fire
• extinguish a fire with water, dry chemicals, or sand
• feed a fire
• fight a fire
• find a fire (perhaps by monitoring thermal images from an aircraft)
• fireproof an object
• fling fireballs
• fling tendrils of fire
• gaze into a fire
• hurl fireballs
• ignite a fire
• kindle a fire
• light a fire
• nestle next to a fire
• put out a fire
• quench a fire
• set fire to something
• set something ablaze, aflame, or afire
• shoot fiery arrows
• snuff out a fire
• snuggle in front of a fireplace
• spit-roast meat over an open fire or hot coals
• squat next to a fire
• stare into a fire
• stir a fire
• stoke a fire
• tend to a fire
• throw wet sacks over a fire
• torture someone with fire
• toss something into a fire
• warm oneself by a fire
• watch a fire
• worship fire

Fire or flames might:

A and B advance, ascend, assault, attack, bake, belch, besiege, blacken, blanket, blast, blaze, blister, blossom, blow out, boil, burn (down, out), burst (out, through)

C carbonize, cascade, cast a glow, catch, cavort, char, chase, cleanse, combust, confuse, consume, cook, coruscate, cover, crackle, creep, cremate

D and E damage, dance, decimate, deflagrate, deluge, destroy, devour, die, eat, embrace, engulf, enkindle, explode

F fizzle (out), flame (out, up), flare (up), flash, flicker, fly, follow, frighten, fulgurate

G to I glare, gleam, glow, gorge, grope (for), gush (up), harden, heat, hiss, hurdle, hurtle, ignite, illuminate, immolate, incinerate, inundate, invite

K to M kill, kindle, lap, lash, leap (into life), lick, light (up), linger, loom, mesmerize, move

O to R overtake, overwhelm, play, pop, purify, race, radiate, rage, rampage, reach (for), retreat, rip through, roar, roast

S scintillate, scorch, sear, shoot, simmer, singe, sizzle, smoke, smolder, snake through, snap, spark, speed, spill, splutter, spread, sputter, start, surge, swallow, sweep (over, through), swelter, swirl

T to W tear through, threaten, twinkle, wander, whip, whisper

Many water words can also be applied to fire.

There is a huge difference between a campfire and a wildfire, a fireball and a firestorm. A few nouns that could replace fire include:

A to W avalanche of flames, ball of fire, blaze, bonfire, brushfire, bushfire, campfire, conflagration, curtain of flames, fireball, firestorm, flames, forest fire, grassfire, inferno, sea of flames, sheet of flames, tsunami of flames, wall of flames, wildfire

Props, whether objects, events, or people, add to a storyline:

A accelerant, alarm, alert, ambulance, arson, arsonist, ash, ax

B backdraft, barbecue, barricade, bellows, blister, blowtorch, boiler, bomb, bottle bomb, brazier, broiler, bucket brigade, burns, bush, butane

C C-4, candle, chain reaction, charcoal, chemicals, chimney, cigarette butt, cinders, clinkers, coal, combustibles, combustion, cookstove, cremation

D and E dynamite, embers, EMT, explosives

F fire brigade, fire department, fire eater, fire escape, fire extinguisher, fire hose, fire insurance, fire pumps, fire ring, fire screen, fire striker, fire trench, fire triangle, fire warden, fire watch, firebrand, firebreak, firebug, firecrackers, firedamp, firefighter, fireplace, firestop, fire-suppression system, fireworks, flame-keeper, flamethrower, flammability, flash, flashover, flashpoint, flint, foam, fuel, fumes, furnace

G and H gas, gas lamp, gas leak, gas stove, gasses, glare, glow, grill, halon, hearth, heat, heat sensor, heat signature, heater, heat-resistant clothing or uniform, hellfire, hoops of fire, hose, hose nozzle, hydrant, hydrazine

I to K IED, ignition, illusionist, incandescence, incendiary device, infrared energy, insurance adjustor, insurance investigator, intensity, investigation, jet, jet fuel, kerosene, kerosene heater, kiln, kindling

L to N laser, lava, lighter, lighter fluid, lightning, logs, luminosity, magician, magnesium, matches, meth lab, microwave oven, Molotov cocktail, napalm, natural gas, necromancer, nitroglycerine

O and P oast, odor, oil, oil drum, oil tanker, origin, oven, paramedic, petrol, petrol bomb, petroleum, plasma, police, potassium, prevention, propane, propane tank, pyre, pyromania, pyrophobia, pyrotechny

R rescue vehicle, retardant, risk, rocket, Roman candle

S sacrifice, shovel, siren, smell, smoke, smoke detector, smoke signals, soot, sorcerer, sparks, sparkler, speed, spontaneous combustion, sprinkler system, sprinklers, suppressant, swath

T to V thermal camera, thermal imager, thermal images, thermal radiation, tinder, TNT, toaster, toaster oven, torch, trees, trench, victims, volcano, volunteers

W to Z warlock, water main, welder’s mask, wick, witch, wizard, wood, woodpile, zip fuel

Clichés and Idioms

Too many repetitions of fire in your WIP? Locate phrases such as the following and replace them with shorter alternatives.

fire in one’s blood: ardor, fervor, passion, zeal

fire of life: elan, enthusiasm, gusto, vigor, vivacity

to fight fire with fire: counter, fight back, get even, retaliate

to go up in flames: be destroyed, burn, combust, disappear, explode

to light a fire under: coerce, impel, induce, prod, push, urge

to pass through the fire: desensitize, harden, inure, test, toughen

to play with fire: endanger, gamble, jeopardize, risk

too many irons in the fire: inundated, overwhelmed , swamped

trial by fire: gauntlet, ordeal, stress, test

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14 thoughts on “ 500+ Ways to Describe Fire: A Word List for Writers ”

Kathy, this is wonderful. I’m not a writer (maybe I’d like to start) but I love words and want a way for my loved ones to feel seen through what I say. I’ve decided to write a story for my best friend for her birthday about her – a coming of age tale about navigating life as a girl finding feminism – starting as an ember, through the stages of a fire. Your page just inspired me so much. Thank you

Thanks, Chloe. Here’s hoping that your story will inspire your friend. All the best!

I’m trying to create the right atmosphere for a character who escapes a burning facility as the last survivor of a great tragedy, and the flames she’s watching in the distance are a bright, neon green color.

She also has to listen to the factory workers and her previous Master and Creator burn to the death, the latter of which she feels deserves it.

Good luck with your scene, Rhonda. I hope you found a few words and phrases here that helped you.

Thanks for stopping by, and stay safe!

Wow, so helpful. Writing a fantasy, involving many fire related ceremonies. Thanks so much, you truly are a saviour.

Thanks, Ana. Good luck with your fantasy, and stay safe!

It’s great to see all these words related to fire in one place, but I don’t see the sense in putting them in alphabetical order. Surely ordering them in any other way would be more productive?

Thanks for stopping by, Peter.

How would you reorder them? 🙂

I love word lists. Thank you!

🙂 Any words you’d like me to research, Leslie?

Gee, Kathy, you are an angel- the Cheraubim kind with a flaming sword. Just last evening, my husband and I were discussing ideas for my next murder mystery, involving the third husband of his great aunt, The poor man died in a bonfire in his back yard. (His two predecessors passed away under rather questionable circumstances as well.) I’m book-marking your post. Thanks!

Thanks, Mary! Your novel sounds intriguing. I hope you find a few ideas here.

As ever, a great post and a great resource. Thank you 🙂

Thanks, Simone. This post got me all fired up. 😉

Writers in the Storm

A blog about writing.

How to Write the Sense of Smell

by Ellen Buikema

Great writers make their stories authentic by allowing us to experience what their characters hear, see, smell, taste, and touch—capturing the senses so we are fully involved. Adding sensory details about smell into your writing creates a stronger story bond for your reader.

Scent memory is potent.

Memories fade as time passes, but a faint whiff of a loved one’s perfume can send your mind’s eye smack into a scene from a forgotten past. Sense of smell is a person’s most robust sense. You can be in a familiar place with a blindfold on and your nose will let you know where you are.

• The sense of smell is more closely linked with memory than any other sense.
• It brings emotions to mind. We are attracted to each other by smell.
• It helps us survive. A foul smell warns us of danger, like when we smell food gone bad or smoke choking the air.

Sensory unit in the classroom.

I introduced my young students to lessons on the five senses. For the sense of smell, I used those old black plastic film canisters with tiny holes poked in the lid so there was no way for the students to peek at what they were going to smell.

Every canister was labeled with a number. Each child checked out the canisters one at a time to avoid copycatting. Their answers were noted and discussed later during circle time. I enjoyed watching their facial expressions during whiffs. Everyone smiled at the cinnamon oil.

One child smelled my neck and said, “ You smell like my auntie. I don’t know why.” Must have been the cocoa butter.

Writers can use the sense of smell to show a character’s background or to move a plot forward.

Say your main protagonist is a child in an orphanage trying to come up with a way to run away from her situation. A fire breaks out somewhere in the building. She smells smoke, alerts whomever she can to the danger (she is a good-hearted character). Recognizing her chance to leave in the chaos, she grabs her belongings and runs, thereby moving the story forward.

Ways to develop a sense of smell in writing.

Smelling danger.

Our brains are wired in a way that makes us hyper-alert to unfamiliar sensory information, including smells. If you want to unsettle you characters, add in rotting, chemically, goosebump raising smells into your story.

• Our sense of smell adjusts and after a while there are scents you won’t notice.
• Walk back inside and take note of what you smell.
• Open up the refrigerator. Do you have a science experiment brewing in the rotter? (In our house that’s the drawer where food is forgotten and goes to die.)
• Think about how certain smells, known and unknown, might help to define your characters.
• Write a paragraph about the smells your character loves and hates.

Smelling recall of another time, person, or place

Smells can cause flashbacks to warm, wonderful times or a place of horror. The same smell can bring joy or pain dependent upon the individuals experience at the time they were exposed to that particular odor.

Some people love the smell of lilies. I cannot stand them. To me they reek of death. I don’t know why, and probably would need hypnosis therapy to figure it out.

• Your best friend’s house from childhood
• Family homes
• Movie theaters, drive-in and indoors
• What smells do you associate with those places in time? What emotions?
• Write a paragraph about the odors and try to call to mind the emotion without calling it by a specific name.

Many authors use sensory writing well.

The following quotes are from writers who use the sense of smell effectively..

“The smell of a grow room is the scent of transpiration, of fecund exertion. It’s the trapped sweat of a high school locker room, the funk of a hockey jersey steaming on a radiator.” Bruce Barcott, Weed the People

“We moved on the Tuesday before Labor Day. I knew what the weather was like the second I got up. I knew because I caught my mother sniffing under her arms. She always does that when it’s hot and humid, to make sure her deodorant’s working. I don’t use deodorant yet. I don’t think people start to smell bad until they’re at least twelve. So I’ve still got a few months to go.” Judy Blume, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret

“Chili dogs, funnel cakes, fried bread, majorly greasy pizza, candy apples, ye gods. Evil food smells amazing -- which is either proof that there is a Satan or some equivalent out there, or that the Almighty doesn't actually want everyone to eat organic tofu all the time. I can't decide.” Jim Butcher, Side Jobs: Stories from the Dresden Files

“I emitted some civetlike female stink, a distinct perfume of sexual wanting, that he had followed to find me here in the dark.” — Janet Fitch, White Oleander

“So when I closed my eyes, when I drifted into a half dream and found myself in that underpass, I may have been able to feel the cold and smell the rank, stale air, I may have been able to see a figure walking towards me, spitting rage, fist raised, but it wasn’t true.” Paula Hawkins, The Girl on the Train

“Mr. Leopold Bloom ate with relish the inner organs of beasts and fowls. He liked thick giblet soup, nutty gizzards, a stuffed roast heart, liver slices fried with crust crumbs, fried hencods’ roes. Most of all he liked grilled mutton kidneys which gave to his palate a fine tang of faintly scented urine.” James Joyce , Ulysses

"After a while, I stretched out on one of the benches and closed my eyes. The kerosene smelled like lacquer, and I kept feeling waves of nausea. My bones were cold. I could isolate the icy scent of pine trees that sneaked through the walls. Sometimes grace is a ribbon of mountain air that gets in through the cracks." Anne Lamott, Grace (Eventually), Thoughts on Faith

“…ripe piss, ancient cabbage, dead and rotting rat — was on Danny's skin, in his hair, in the fibers of his suit; Varian inhaled that scent like a penance.” Julie Orringer , The Flight Portfolio

“There is little difference between the Zulu warrior who smeared his body with Lion’s fat and the modern woman who dabs hers with expensive perfume. The one was trying to acquire the courage of the king of beasts, the other is attempting to acquire the irresistible sexuality of flowers. The underlying principle is the same.” Tom Robbins, Jitterbug Perfume

Other Links we love:

• Here are some Fun Smelly Facts .
• Check out 30 of the Best Words to Describe Smell in Your Writing .

If you want to make your readers feel what you’re describing, use the power of scent. Understanding how compelling the sense of smell can be, use it to entice your reader.

What sense do you use when writing? What writers do well with sensory writing? Do you have any examples you’d like to share?

* * * * * *

About Ellen

Author, speaker, and former teacher, Ellen L. Buikema has written non-fiction for parents and a series of chapter books for children with stories encouraging the development of empathy—sprinkling humor wherever possible. Her Works In Progress are,  The Hobo Code , YA historical fiction and Crystal Memories , YA fantasy.

Find her at  http://ellenbuikema.com  or on  Amazon .

Top Image Photo by samer daboul from Pexels

23 comments on “How to Write the Sense of Smell”

That was a fun exercise. Thanks!

I went through my debut novel with the search function, and found 54 instances of using smell, odor, aroma, wafted, or scent. I have a specific step in my process which has me consider 1) the senses the character is using, and 2) the senses I hope to elicit in the reader for every scene. The only duplicates were pine-scented cleaner and the outdoor smell of real pine trees. Not bad.

I make an effort to consider all the senses, regular and ESP and kinesthetic, but only choose a couple at a time for a scene. A laundry list is appropriate very rarely.

Here's an example of a sweater left behind by Andrew O'Connell at Kary's house when he stayed there, one of two similar fisherman's Irish sweaters his mother knit for him. It has to go back with his friend and manager. The last sentence is in italics in the book as a direct thought.

Her fingers dared. She pulled the rough heavy sweater into her lap, tidied the folds, tucked the long sleeves neatly into the bundle. The faint aroma of lanolin thrust her backbrain into memories of nursing… Such a long time ago. She restrained herself from burying her face in the woolen bulk. She refused to name the other scent. It will have to go back. Pride's Children PURGATORY.

I picked that one because of the double use of smell.

It's interesting that you even use a sensory check as part of your writing process. 54 references is impressive. I'm wondering whether you search using the words you mentioned: smell, odor, aroma, wafted, or scent? That's a great tip to figure out how smell is represented in one's manuscript. Thanks, Alicia! Kris

Yes - I searched with all the words I thought might find me scent references, and was pleased to find so many.

I have a damaged brain (ME/CFS), and the only way I can write is to have a detailed written process - a specific set of prompts/questions that I've developed since I started to write. That way I can compartmentalize each and make sure it at least gets considered for a scene.

If curious, here's the link: https://liebjabberings.wordpress.com/2013/08/15/left-brain-right-brain-hemisphere-wars-and-writers-block/

I know scientists no longer consider the left/right dichotomy a physical one, but it still works for me as a metaphorical one, switching from a logical to an intuitive approach and back in a regular alternation when I get saturated on one or the other. It probably makes me slower than I might otherwise be, but it compensates for my deficiencies enough to write complex fiction.

I love your example, Alicia. It pulls me right into the scene and I truly feel for her, especially as a mom.

I hadn't thought about it before but a balance must be had between too much and too little sensory information in a scene. Thank you for bringing that point up!

Or possibly you're writing pure literary fiction? And the point IS the sensory information?

I don't - I'm too wedded to plot and characterization - but it is a viable option, and there are some beautiful examples.

I learned that one from Sol Stein: two to three sensory details seem to be about right, and one should be familiar and one fresh. Not a rule so much as a guideline, because sometimes the best effect is to pile on more, sometimes to select one perfect detail. Or you start to sound like a robot. That's one of the things I love about writing, reaching for that balance.

Thanks for this, Ellen. I use smells often in my writing--it seems to be the most underutilized sense by new writers, IMHO. Great links, too!

Hi Karen, I'm glad the links are useful!

My early writing had a serious lack of sensory information. Critique partners modeled better work, showing what I'd missed. Adding sensory details makes a big difference.

HI Ellen, I loved all the examples, especially the Anne Lamott one: Sometimes grace is a ribbon of mountain air that gets in through the cracks. Her contrast to kerosene and lacquer is powerful.

Thanks for the reminder to incorporate this sense into our writing. It can ramp up the intensity or deepen the solitude, all with a reference to smell.

Thanks, Kris!

There's nothing quite like sense of smell to entice us into a story.

I especially like Anne Lamott's quote.

When I left home for college my mom gave me strawberry-scented stationery so I could write her. To this day, the smell of strawberries makes me homesick.

Wow, Jeanne what a powerful connection!

Excellent advice. The sense of smell IS a powerful one. I had to go through my current ms following Alicia's example. I found 17 uses of 'aroma', 13 of 'smell' and 6 of scent, and a smattering of others.

My takeaway from this post: Tie the sense of smell to an emotion for more power. My current wip is set on a cattle ranch. The heroine is a city girl, so she's going to notice the smells. She also spends time with the ranch cook--more opportunities to work in the sense.

Ooh, Terry you'll have a lot of fun with this. I can tell already.

I grew up close to Chicago and never experienced the intense scent of cow patties from a dairy farm until middle school.

You'll have to let us know how your heroine deals.

Thanks for this one, Ellen! I love to use smells in my writing. You're right on the money about them being a powerful memory trigger that can suck a reader right into a scene. One of my favorites from my own work comes from my first book, Killing Karma. It describes James' first step into a thrift store.

A quick twenty-minute drive brought James to his first thrift shop experience. Walking through the door, the realization hit him; this was not going to be his typical shopping trip. The first thing to jump out was the smell. It wasn’t the crisp linen and perfume scent he encountered in the department stores he occasionally shopped in with his mother. It reeked of something a little more . . . well . . . old. The smell reminded him of the house where the aging neighbor lady used to care for him while his mother worked. It made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

Great example, Eldred!

I really enjoyed reading your Karma series.

What powerful examples you used, Ellen. Wow. Has me looking through my manuscript for those hits. And I think I did okay. a total of 93 references to aromas, scents, smells, stench, and stink. Helps to have your characters explode a stink bomb. lol

A stink bomb. Wow. I'll bet there were some interesting reactions to that Lynette! I was concerned that I overdid the examples. LOL. I guess I did okay.

I've started reading through each scene and noting where I need more sensory input. The editing process seems never ending.

Yes. The reactions were the fun part.

You did more than okay with examples. And while I agree the editing process seems never ending, I strongly suspect you'll add the right amount of sensory input and find the end.

I think when you can describe the smells in a book and the reader is transported to the place or reacts to the smell, you've done your job.

My books are more apt to have smells of florals, food, and perfumes/colognes, etc...

[…] https://writersinthestormblog.com/2021/11/how-to-write-the-sense-of-smell/ […]

How to Describe Smell in Writing Vary your vocabulary. Instead of saying a character smelled something, describe the specific redolence they encounter. ... Link other senses. Scent is linked to our other senses, particularly taste. ... Think outside the box. Sometimes smells surprise us. ... Describe scents in detail.

Some common synonyms of stinking are fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, noisome, putrid, and rank. While all these words mean "bad-smelling," stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.

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Sniff This: The Ultimate Guide On How To Describe A Smell

The nose can recognise more than one trillion distinct scents.

The sense of smell is incredibly powerful. It can evoke memories and emotions, and sometimes we even use smells to describe things we can't see.

But what do we do when we want to describe a smell to someone else? How can we accurately capture the aroma of a rose or the fragrance of a newly-washed shirt in words?

Describing scents can be frustrating, I know. Which is why I’ve written this article diving into how we can describe smells effectively as well as compiled a word list of scent-related words.

What exactly is a smell?

A smell is created when molecules interact with the receptors in our nose.

These molecules can come from anything: foods, drinks, plants, flowers, pets, and even people. Once the molecules reach our nose, they interact with the receptors in our nose, which send a signal to our brain. This is what we perceive as smell.

Our sense of smell is directly connected to the brain's limbic system, which is responsible for controlling our emotions and memory. That's why certain smells can take us back to a certain time or place in an instant.

The sense of smell is often overlooked, but it is one of the most powerful ways to evoke memories and emotions.

Different types of smells

You might be tempted to say "it smells like a rose," but that's not very helpful to someone who doesn’t know what a rose smells like. Also, there are different types of rose scents— musky, floral, sweet, and the list goes on.

When you come across a smell that you can't quite put your finger on, try to identify which category it falls into. This will give you a place to start when describing it to others.

“All smells can be classified as one of 10 types of aroma.”

After years of research, scientists have concluded that 10 is the minimum number of categories that they can categorise scent into: fragrant, woody/resinous, fruity (non-citrus), chemical, minty/peppermint, sweet, popcorn, lemon, pungent and decayed.

Categorising a scent is just the tip of the iceberg. A lot more can be done to immerse your reader’s imagination.

How do you describe a smell in writing?

When describing a smell, try to think about all the different aspects of it. What does it remind you of? What sensations does it evoke?

The more specific you can be when writing, the easier it will be for your readers to visualize and understand what you are trying to communicate. Using a dictionary can help you find the precise words and meanings that accurately convey your thoughts. However, there is no one right answer to describe a smell. It's all about using your sensory words to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

Here are some approaches you can take when starting to think about how to describe a smell.

1. A smell is often described with adjectives

We often smell things before we see them, and smells can evoke incredibly strong memories and emotions. That's why we use adjectives to describe smells— they create a vivid picture in our minds.

Adjectives can also help us communicate our reactions to smells. For example, if you walk into a room and smell cinnamon, you might say "that's a cozy smell." If the smell is unpleasant, you might say "that room reeks!”

These adjectives are used to describe the smell's intensity, it's qualities, or how it makes you feel.

Describe any smell with Hypotenuse AI

Simply give our AI a few keywords, and watch us turn it into surprisingly great blog posts, product descriptions and marketing copy.

2. Categorizing them according to the 5 cardinal tastes

Qualities of a smell can be broken down into the five cardinal tastes: sweetness, sourness, bitterness, saltiness, and umami. You can’t exactly smell these, but you can experience the sensation of these tastes.

This is how you might describe these smells when writing:

• Sweet: sugary, saccharine, sickly
• Sour: balsamic, tart, acidic
• Bitter: earthy, roasted, powdery
• Salty: aquatic, marine, ocean
• Umami: meaty, savory

3. Diving into the nuances of scent

You could also try to describe the nuances of the scent: what are the individual notes that make up the overall aroma?

Some adjectives to describe the nuances of scent:

• Flowers: soft, delicate, powdery
• Citrus fruits: tangy, tart, acidic
• Woods: earthy, musky, deep
• Spices: warm, fragrant, inviting

4. Describing a Scent by Intensity

You can also describe a scent by its intensity: is it light and airy, or heavy and earthy?

Words to describe intense smells:

Words to describe weak smells:

5. Describing a Scent Using Feelings and Emotions

Identifying feelings and emotions that a scent gives rise to can help make your description more evocative.

This helps with whether you want your smell to have a positive or negative connotation attached to it. For example, an intense smell may be “rancid” to some (negative connotation), and just “sharp” to others (neutral connotation)

• Positive words might include "invigorating," "relaxing," and "energizing."
• Negative words might be "stinky," "musty," and "foul.”

List of words to describe pleasant scents:

List of words to describe bad smells:.

• naueseating
• overpowering
• overwhelming
• sickeningly sweet
• suffocating

Of course, scents are not only categorised into pleasant and unpleasant smells. Let’s look at words describing some common smells to see how we can stimulate your imagination.

Words to describe the smell of rain

The smell of rain right after a storm is a scent that many of us are familiar with.

Petrichor ( noun) the pleasant scent when rain falls on dry soil.

Words to describe the smell of food

Assuming you're describing food that smells good, here are some adjectives you can use.

• Mouthwatering
• Irresistible
• Scrumptious

Words to describe the smell of alcohol in writing

The use of alcohol is pervasive, from being used as a disinfectant in hospitals, to being consumed in our drinks.

Words to describe the smell of alcohol in a hospital setting:

Words to describe the smell of alcohol breath (drunkard’s breath).

Smell is one of the most evocative senses, conjuring memories and affecting moods faster than any other sense.

Whether you're describing a smell you love or trying to capture a scent for a creative project, it's important to know how to describe it in a way that accurately conveys its essence. When describing a smell, it's important to be as specific as possible, and to use adjectives that will help the reader to imagine the scent.

With these tips, you'll be able to capture any smell you encounter and make your readers feel like they can smell it too.

Try Hypotenuse AI's text generator to fully unlock the potential of your olfactory descriptions. Engage your audience and bring scents to life with enhanced writing. Get ready to captivate readers with every description.

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WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

Helping writers become bestselling authors

Setting Thesaurus Entry: House Fire

April 24, 2010 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

Smoke (light & white, drifting at the ceiling level in a haze to start, then billowing plumes darkening to sooty black as plastics, oils, chemicals, varnish and paint etc are consumed), flame, coals, flames licking the walls and sweeping across the ceiling, fire ropes chewing…

The crackle of flame, the woof sound as something catches fire quickly, plastics melting and dripping into hissing puddles, the creak and groan of timbers contracting, cries for help, glass breaking, roof caving in, floor groaning, someone banging on a door, shouting…

Smoke will pick up the smells of what’s burning and at what stage. Walls, wooden furniture, etc will have a smokey campfire-ish smell at first, plastics a sharp, acrid smell that will burn the nose and throat, but as the fire progresses the smoke will grow…

Gummy, acrid ash coating the tongue, phlegm, the occasional gulp of fresher air if leaning out a window to breathe on a second story or above window

rubble underfoot, cutting feet on glass or wood splinters, searing burns, intense heat, blistering palms from touching something too hot, pressing a towel or shirt to the mouth and nose in an attempt to breathe cleaner air, wrapping shirts around hands to protect..

Helpful hints:

–The words you choose can convey atmosphere and mood.

Example 1: I crammed myself tight into the corner so the flames couldn’t find me. Mr. Bear’s hard plastic nose dug into my chest but I didn’t dare loosen my grip on him. Across from me, the dolls on my shelf began to change, their fine blond ringlets shrinking into black frizz and then crumbling into dust. They stared at me, black bristles poking out their heads, their smiling faces shifting and drooping, crying plastic tears. I pushed my face into the soft fur of Mr. Bear and pretended I was at Grandma Hiller’s, hiding in the linen cupboard, waiting for her to find me…

–Similes and metaphors create strong imagery when used sparingly.

Example 1: (Simile) As Mary lay there, her face pressed to the warm floor boards, she pulled in a final, reedy breath. Time slowed, and darkness began to close in on her like the heavy velvet curtains that signalled the end of a theatre performance…

Think beyond what a character sees, and provide a sensory feast for readers

Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers , a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.

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Reader Interactions

May 31, 2021 at 11:17 pm

Thank GOD I found this!! I was searching high and low for ways to help me describe what a character was smelling when it came to a burning building (and the internet was NOT being helpful!). I have the Setting books and one of your others as well. So when I saw this was by you guys and it had the other stuff with it, too, I rejoiced!

April 26, 2010 at 12:08 am

*shivers* I can hear, smell, and see this. You are amazing! Thank you for the list.

April 25, 2010 at 8:33 pm

I think it’s cool how you called out the different smells for different materials – you have such a well-rounded approach to description

April 25, 2010 at 6:36 pm

Bish, Ouch is right. I would never wish fire upon anyone. Such a terrible force.

Shannon, you crack me up. And yes, do send it on–I’d like to see how it turned out. 🙂

Julie, I’m glad I got this one right. I’ve asked a few people to look it over in the field to make sure I didn’t miss anything huge.

Martha, so glad you found your way over here and the post is just what you needed. 🙂

Dean, you are on a roll! Buy a lottery ticket!

Mary, Thanks!

Stina, LOL!

April 25, 2010 at 4:03 pm

Gee, where were you when I was working on my last book? I had to torch my house just to figure it all out. 😉

April 25, 2010 at 10:52 am

This is another great post, Angela. I’m impressed by all the good work you put in on these.

The image of melting dolls’ faces will stay with me for a long time!

April 25, 2010 at 9:59 am

Am I lucky today!! first, I got paid for some drawings, then a friend I haven’t seen for a long time called and this!! I found a blog really worth following..

So I’m now a follower and bookmarked this page so I can come back anytime I want… easily.

More Power!!

April 25, 2010 at 7:17 am

I was referred over here by a gal in RWA during a discussion on desription and the senses. Wow, am I glad I made the trip.

Just in time too! The opener on my new ms is a fire scene… and look what to my wondering eyes should appear?? lol.

Awesome post! I’ll be stalking your blog for sure.

April 24, 2010 at 9:51 pm

My husband is a firefighter and can relate to your mood words. Great stuff!

April 24, 2010 at 8:44 pm

See how you are? You post things like this, and I become utterly dependent upon you! ha ha ha. You really are a blog I couldn’t live without.

P.S. I have 1-2 more days worth of work and then I think I’m ready to query. If you want to see the final version (just for fun – no crit. obligation) I’d be happy to send it to you. 🙂

April 24, 2010 at 7:08 pm

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Enchanting Marketing

Writing advice for small business

How to Write Evocatively & Pull Readers Into Your Story: 3 Nose-Tickling Examples

by Henneke | 36 enchanting opinions, add yours? :)

It happened to me recently.

I was reading the book Revelations in Air by Jude Stewart.

As I’m reading, I feel like I’m standing next to her smelling the orange she’s peeling. I notice a whiff of lavender as she dabs the scented oil on her wrist. Oh, and the smell of freshly-cut grass!

How can she describe smells so fabulously?

I quickly let go of my envy and begin to study her writing: What makes Stewart’s descriptions so evocative? What can I learn from her?

Describing aromas may seem like a niche writing technique but the lessons apply to almost any writing, fiction or non-fiction.

Shall we look at some examples first?

Example 1: The aromas of peanut butter

Here’s how Stewart describes peanut butter:

It’s rich, smoky, surprisingly deep. The scent stacks in clear layers: at the top floats a note of honeyed sweetness. A heavy swirl of oil forms the grounding base note. In the fat middle, it’s all sticky, particulate peanuts: a smell that matches the taste with uncanny fidelity.

When I read this description, I think: Yes, I know the fat middle with the peanutty smell. I also know the oily base note. But the sweetness? I’m not sure.

I grab a pot of peanut butter and sniff. At first, I only smell peanuts and oil. Then I let the smell come to my nose more quietly, and there it is: Sweetness.

To describe a smell more accurately, you first have to sniff more attentively. You have to stop and pay attention. That’s how you can detect the different layers of a smell—honeyed sweetness, oily base, and sticky peanuts.

Example 2: The smell of petrichor

Petrichor is the smell of rain after a long period of dry weather. Stewart starts her description like this:

Petrichor, the smell of parched earth after rain, is immersive, roomy enough to move around in. Its bright mineral tang is edged with vegetal green. There’s a hint of sourness, haloed by fresh water droplets. Petrichor lifts the ground, with all its smells, closer to the nose. It’s as if the earth has exhaled. Because this smell emanates from millions of pinpoints at once, petrichor has a stereoscopic quality. Inside the smell, each moment seems to dilate and slow. It fills the air with relief.

Describing a smell can be tricky. In his book An Immense World , Ed Yong suggests the English language has only 3 dedicated words for smells : “stinky, fragrant, and musty.” So, we borrow words from other senses, use metaphors, or name the source of a smell (e.g., rose). In the above description of petrichor, the phrases mineral tang and sourness describe tastes as much as (or probably more than) smell.

Stewart turns her description of petrichor into a 3-dimensional experience: It’s immersive and roomy enough to move around in. It’s as if the earth has exhaled (such a lovely example of personification !). The air is filled with relief.

Isn’t that lovely?

Example 3: The scent of roses

How would you describe the scent of roses?

Perhaps: Flowery, a tad sweet. The roses in our garden are still in bud, so no chance to sniff their scent for a more accurate description. I’m inclined to suggest that roses smell like … eh … roses, yeah?

Here’s how Stewart starts her description of the scent of roses:

At first the smell of roses fills the nose in a giddy rush, sweet and headlong. The burst of luxury feels total. But that rush rapidly settles down and shades into a regal stillness. You become aware of joining a vast throng of admirers in a shared contemplation. The scent’s wildness doesn’t stay wild for long in the nose; inevitably, one recalls one’s grandmother in her church best. Yet behind its rounded, classical quality, the scent still emanates some heat, prickly and pollen-like. It evokes late summer, lazily crawling insects, the finery of silken petals rotting under a bush, the sprawl of untidy nature. Inside the smell of roses one senses the momentary quality of life, how rapidly loveliness blossoms and fades, the nearness of beauty to rot.

Stewart relates how she experiences the scent in two stages: The giddy rush that settles down into a regal stillness. Next, she describes the memories the scents evoke: Grandmother, late summer, crawling insects. And lastly, there’s a philosophical note on the fading of beauty and the momentary quality of life.

Smells can ground you into the present. Forget all your worries. Forget all your stress. Instead savor the smells in the air around you, here and now. I love this when I’m cooking. I love how the smells evolve and intermingle. It’s a full-body experience. As Stewart writes, olfactory receptors not only “line our noses but also our skin, skeletal muscles, and major organs.” We smell with our entire bodies.

But aromas aren’t just about the present. They can also evoke strong memories and transport us back to the past. As Stewart suggests, smell is a form of “emotional time travel:”

(…) important memories in your life are nearly always emotional. When an important episodic memory forms, we’re feeling all the feels, registering all the details clearly. If we happen to smell something distinctive during that experience, the amygdala, hippocampus, and olfactory bulbs fuse feelings, memory, and smell together effortlessly.

To describe a smell, you can choose to stay in the present or you can go back in time. Like music, aromas can evoke strong memories.

The art of describing a smell

As we’ve seen there are at least 3 techniques for describing a smell.

First, you can use sensory language to describe the different layers of an aroma, and how it changes over time.

This technique requires us to pay close attention: To sniff, and sniff again, and then to put into words what we’re smelling. This may require patience and practice. Stewart admits that while working on the chapter about the smell of skin, she sniffs her partner’s t-shirt for 20 (!!!) minutes.

Next, you can turn a smell into a multi-sensory or 3-dimensional experience.

You can describe how you experience a smell, how it caresses or prickles your nose or how you can move in it—like the softly sweet smell of honey that greeted me and enveloped me when I cycled towards a field of rapeseed a few weeks ago.

Lastly, you can narrate the memories and associations that a smell evokes.

I have many aroma-infused memories of living in Hong Kong in the late 90s. I remember the excitement and slight trepidation of arriving at the old airport and disembarking into the clammy dampness with the overbearing smells of kerosine and hot tarmac. Oh, how I wish I had paid more attention and made notes!

How to become a better writer

Improving our writing skills is about more than vocabulary, sentence structure, and creative writing techniques .

We also need to practice the art of noticing.

What do you observe when you pay closer attention? How can you describe an interaction, a problem, a solution, a person, or a situation more precisely?

What happens when you experience the world with a childlike wonder? What attracts attention when you follow your curiosity?

In our fast-paced world, it can be hard to stop and pay attention. Our mobile phones, the news, social media are always there to distract us. The standard mantra is to go faster, do more, and be more productive.

Yet, slowing down helps us observe better. It helps us be present, savor life, and experience a moment more deeply.

Plus, it helps us write more accurately and more vividly, so we can invite our readers into a different world.

So, let’s stop to smell the roses.

Happy writing!

PS Thank you to Phil LeMaster for the excellent book recommendation.

Book mentioned in this post:

• Revelations in Air by Jude Stewart (highly recommended)

Recommended reading on writing more evocatively:

The magic of sensory language (+ 75 example phrases) Imagery examples: How to write more vividly The art of noticing: 3 practices to make you a better writer

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Reader Interactions

Leave a comment and join the conversation cancel reply.

September 27, 2022 at 10:44 am

Hi Henneke, What a great post! Finding it useful as I write about New York’s architecture 🙂

I hope everything is well with you ❤️ Virginia

September 28, 2022 at 8:37 pm

I have no doubts that your writing about New York’s architecture will be great, infused with your passion. ❤️

June 12, 2022 at 9:01 pm

I took an online Memoir Writing Course last year then found several people fron that group to be my accountability partners. All of us “graduates” are now in the facebook group for alumni. May I link to your article there? It’s so wonderful and adds to the first thing we learned — show don’t tell. Trudy

June 13, 2022 at 9:46 am

Yes, sure. I’m always grateful when people share my work. 🙂

June 12, 2022 at 1:38 pm

Writing about the senses will be an important part of my efforts to explore them more deeply. It is always a pleasure to read your blog because it makes me feel positive, loving, and compassionate.

I appreciate your blog very much.

June 12, 2022 at 3:27 pm

Awww, that’s such lovely feedback. Thank you, Bhupendra. Happy writing!

June 9, 2022 at 5:17 pm

Smell, infrequently used, but deeply evocative, especially in terms of memories. Thank you for this overview of how to describe smell in creative writing. I’ll be returning to this.

June 10, 2022 at 11:08 am

Thank you, Alex. I’ve wondered why we use smell so infrequently. Is describing a smell just too hard?

June 7, 2022 at 9:08 am

Hi Henneke,

I am a writer too, and I am always looking for new inspiration and guides that will help me improve. I learned a lot from this article, and I will definitely try to write like this. All these examples were amazing. I think you write beautifully. Thanks a lot for sharing this amazing article and guide. It was very helpful.

June 7, 2022 at 9:39 am

I’m glad you found it helpful, John. Happy writing!

May 30, 2022 at 6:58 am

Hi Henneke, Sorry I read this post a bit late. I admire you a lot. I started my own blog and your course on blog writing has guided me a lot in becoming a better writer.

May 30, 2022 at 12:35 pm

There’s no deadline for reading my posts. You can read them at any time 🙂

I’m glad you enjoyed my blog writing course, Mary!

May 25, 2022 at 6:05 am

We don’t realize how complex our senses are until we try to describe them using words, which is really all we have. Jude’s attempts are beautiful, almost poetic. She masterfully uses words and phrases to ping the faraway places in our minds that smells occupy, evoking memories and emotions.

I can’t wait to read this book.

Thanks, Henneke.

May 25, 2022 at 9:33 am

Jude Stewart’s aroma descriptions are amazing, aren’t they? I hope you’ll enjoy her book, too!

May 24, 2022 at 10:21 pm

Great piece!

May 24, 2022 at 8:04 pm

Henneke, your post seems to roll off your tongue, or shall I say nose, with ease. This really brought a smile to my face. I look forward to thinking more deeply about senses in all of my writing. Thank you!

May 24, 2022 at 8:54 pm

I’m so glad you enjoyed this. I felt very much inspired by Jude Stewart’s book and it was such a joy to write this (still did quite some editing, though!).

May 24, 2022 at 6:58 pm

Be prepared. ( I’m surprised this hasn’t already happened.) But, be prepared for it. You pick up a random note from your desk. You find a file tucked away and forgotten on your computer. You read it. You are impressed. You wonder. Who wrote that… and realize… you did! If it hasn’t happened yet, it will. Enjoy that moment when it does. Grace and peace.

May 24, 2022 at 8:52 pm

What a lovely suggestion (and a compliment!). Thank you so much, Curtis. When it happens, I’ll think of your words and remember all your encouragement through the years. Grace and peace to you, too.

May 24, 2022 at 5:56 pm

One word – Lovely. I don’t know how Stewart even managed to create such descriptions. To me, there are an impossible task (till now), but maybe with time and practice, I might achieve .05% of this writing style. Yes, smells do drag us back into memory lane. The smell of a hot summer afternoon, the smell of freshly washed clothes, the smell of soap after my Mother had her bath, the smell of my Father’s shirt (it was a mix of Old Spice aftershave and John Players cigarettes) – it was as if a new smell had been given birth with their combination. I envy Stewart for having the ability to write such exotic descriptions. It is a class apart and will make any content stand out from the rest. I wish I could write like her…

May 24, 2022 at 8:51 pm

First, I think you’re underestimating your own ability. You’ll do much better than you think. I can see that you’ve already been inspired to think of smells and memories. I love the smell of line-dried laundry.

Secondly, you and I don’t need to reach the same level of smell descriptions as Jude Stewart. That’s unless you also want to write a guide book on smells! Just thinking about smells and weaving a one-sentence description into your writing now is more than most writers do, and that’ll make your writing already stand out.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Subhankar. Happy writing!

May 24, 2022 at 4:55 pm

Fantastic insight. Writing is more than vocabulary, sentence structure, and creative writing techniques. I’ve been concentrating solely on those aspects. Now, I see beyond. Thanks for sharing.

May 24, 2022 at 5:51 pm

I think it’s a logical focus. It’s what most writing books and blog focus on. Me, too!

Thank you for stopping by, Donna. I much appreciate it.

May 24, 2022 at 4:52 pm

“That night, it felt as if the world was about to be deluged. I could feel moisture on my skin through the air. My stepdad and I closed packs in their covers and he grabbed his raincoat. I didn’t have one. —The smell pouring from the sky was like mushrooms and sky.–It was like everything living, everything possible. Lightning erupted inside dark fields, close enough I could see strokes of a downpour through the night.”-Craig Childs, “Tracing Time; Seasons of Rock Art in the Colorado Plateau.”

I’ll find myself sniffing the sky when the clouds build in the afternoon from now on after reading that and Jude’s “Revelations”

Thanks for the shoutout/link!

But I really need to thank you for the inspiration to notice wonderful things everywhere.

May 24, 2022 at 5:50 pm

I’m finding myself sniffing a lot more, too. I also found it interesting that our smell receptors regenerate. As Stewart writes: “Olfactory receptors—the receptors in our noses whose proteins bind to smell molecules—regenerate every four to eight weeks and change in response to whatever new smells they encounter. Smelling new scents, articulating what you smell in words, learning to identify similar smells—in short, practicing your sense of smell is brain-building, particularly in older adults.” Such a nice incentive to develop our sense of smell!

Craig Childs’ writing is amazing, really multi-sensory. I’ve look forward to reading “Tracing Time,” too! Thank you for all your inspiration and recommendation, Phil. A good book recommendation is so precious. A few hours well spent. A new world opens.

May 24, 2022 at 1:43 pm

Yes! Describing smells will take a lot of practice and I will have to be creative! Thanks for the book suggestion, I’ll make a note of that for future reading. I so enjoy reading your newsletters or posts, however you would describe your writing to us. I try to learn from them. I need to sit with this one awhile and get used to being more aware of smells, sniffing more and being more present in the moments I experience ☺️

May 24, 2022 at 2:05 pm

Reading “Revelations in Air” made me a lot more aware of smells, too. There are interesting exercises in the book, too. Like keeping a smell journal, varying your sniffing technique, and comparing smells of similar items (e.g., try to smell the difference between types of vinegar). It’s really interesting to start paying more attention to smells and try to describe them (it’s hard!).

May 24, 2022 at 1:25 pm

A lovely and imagination-stirring piece, Henneke. I’ve learned to take my small notebook with me when visiting a park or garden as I know the descriptive sensory words and connections that come to mind are all too fleeting if I don’t capture them in the moment! Will definitely add this book to my reading list.

May 24, 2022 at 1:26 pm

That’s such a great habit. I should do that, too. I always think that I’ll remember.

May 24, 2022 at 2:01 pm

So true. Just a little note. On the small notebook idea. Another tactic. You can use your smartphone to voice record your thoughts or write them. Or even make a video. I wonder if we will ever be able to record an aroma.

May 24, 2022 at 2:06 pm

Wouldn’t that be interesting if we could keep a box with aromas from the past just like a photo album?

May 24, 2022 at 6:21 pm

My dad taught me a lot about the sense of smell. For example, he said that once you have smelled an aroma, you will never forget it. If you ever smell it again, it will immediately pop up in your memory.

I didn’t know that! So interesting.

May 24, 2022 at 11:58 am

Loved ever bit of this article. Keep ’em coming dear Henneke! You’re my writing star!

May 24, 2022 at 12:04 pm

Thank you so much, Isabel. It was such a joy to write this 🙂

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Writer, storyteller, and hopeless romantic, 75 words to describe smells.

One of the more common pieces of writing advice is to engage with all five primary senses in a scene. It’s easy for most of us to describe sight and sound, as our characters move through the space we imagine in our minds and speak to others, listen to the radio or an argument in the next room or whatever.

Touch can be a step up in difficulty, but most of us manage this well: our characters linger over the feel of a leather-bound book or the softness of a lover’s skin.

Taste, well…unless the scene involves eating, that one is tough, and when it does, it’s usually easy. Rich wine or decadent chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and so on–we’ve got our own taste buds as easy reference for that.

But how often, as a reader, do you read about smells? How often, as a writer, have you tried to describe them?

I won’t claim to be an expert by any means–I was always conscious that decaying bodies stink when I was writing my What We Need series, but beyond that, I can only recall a few instances where I incorporated other smells into my writing.

To that end, I offer this list of adjectives to describe a wide range of smells, many of which (but certainly not all ) would also be appropriate to use for tastes, as the two senses are closely related.

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25+ of the Best Words to Describe Fireworks in Writing

By: Author Hiuyan Lam

Posted on Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Vocabulary Boosters

You will need to find the right words to describe fireworks if you want to create a picture in people’s minds.

If you’re looking for words to describe something, good descriptive adjectives are necessary.

Fireworks can create an awe-inspiring sight and you don’t want the words you use to describe them to fall short. Here are some words and sentences describing fireworks.

8 of the best words to describe New Year’s Eve firework shows

  Some of the New Year’s Eve fireworks shows around the world are quite spectacular. They are bright, beautiful and loud.   Here are words to describe fireworks when they create an extraordinary display, watched by many people.  

You May Also Like:

25 of the Best Words to Describe Heat and Hot Weather

7 words to describe small firecrackers and wedding sparklers

  Small firecrackers and wedding sparklers create a different effect to a large fireworks display.   They tend to have an appeal in a more intimate setting like a family celebration or a wedding. Here are some words to describe fireworks like firecrackers and wedding sparklers.  

5 words to describe the sound of fireworks

  The sound of fireworks adds to the atmosphere created by the colors and movement. Here are words to describe fireworks when you’re thinking about the noise they make.  

30 of the Best Words to Describe Smell in Your Writing

5 words to describe fireworks and their movements

  Fireworks move in many different ways – shooting straight up into the sky, twirling, spiraling and spinning. Here are words to describe fireworks when you think about their movement.  

4 words to describe the colors of fireworks

  The colors of fireworks dazzle and inspire us. Here are words to describe fireworks when you’re thinking about their colors.  

A final word

  When looking for words to describe fireworks, some of the above examples will help you improve your writing.   They will help you describe the colors, sounds and movements the fireworks make as they light up the sky and create an impression on everyone who sees them.  

Writing sense of smell – sensory writing 2

Sensory writing is a great way to bring your readers close, whatever your writing form – fiction, poetry, scripts or copywriting. This article suggests how writing sense of smell can help create a more vivid sense of immersion in your fictional world.

Other senses such as touch and hearing are powerful in their own ways, but the sense of smell is special. It’s thought to be the oldest mammalian sense, and hits deep into our brains.

So using smell in writing is a powerful way to stir your reader’s senses, and bring them closer.

Smell is also closely linked to memory, the sense of taste, and our enjoyment of food.

And it’s intimately connected to our breathing. Some smells can hit us so strongly that they make us choke and recoil!

Here are some ways to develop your use of smells in writing.

Smells and danger

When you’re writing sense of smell, look out for its dramatic potential. Can you use it to drive dramatic action ? Will it perhaps trigger a fight-or-flight reaction in one of your characters? Or will it lure them into seduction by the wrong person, or cause them to lose their way (or their mind!) or otherwise get into danger?

Unusual smells often have an association with danger. That’s because our our brains wiring makes us super-alert to unfamiliar sensory information. That includes smells.

So if you’re writing a thriller, fantasy, scifi or any world that’s new or unsettling to your characters, add smell to your writing repertoire.

Think of pungent smoke, the sickly-sweet smell of rotting flesh, strong chemicals that hit our throats and make our eyes water.  

Note: we quickly get used to smells after some exposure. Even the most terrible smells can lose their potency after a while. And beautiful perfumes stop being noticeable after a few minutes of habituation.

So context is important. Maybe you can link the smell to a countdown situation or ticking time bomb ?

Smells that signal danger are often linked to novelty or unfamiliarity. How can you use this in your fiction scene?

Sensory writing practice :

Refresh your nose-palette, to make familiar smells unfamiliar. To do this, go into a different smell environment – outdoors in the fresh air, for example – and then return indoors. What do you notice differently? Free-write and try to capture the smells and scents you discover.

Use your nose and rediscover the familiar smells of your surroundings.

What might strike someone coming into your home or work for the first time?

Consider how familiarity and unfamiliarity with certain smells might help to define your characters. Write a paragraph about your characters’ favourite smells, and smells they dislike.

Smells and memory

Another approach to writing sense of smell is to consider the power of memory.

Smells can cause instant flashbacks, catapulting you back to a long-forgotten memory – whether a delightful one, or an awful one.

What’s more, smells that are happy or neutral for one person can be traumatic for another, if they trigger an association with unhappy memories. So they might become a reason for dramatic action – say, one character wanting to avoid a smell, or impose a smell on another.

For example, I can’t stand the smell of lilies because of a hospital stay when the ward was full of vases of flowers. Their pungent stench was all the worse because of the lack of fresh air, and hospital chemicals. So if I were ever in a room full of lilies, I’d want to open a window, fan the air or cart them away down the far end of the corridor!

But I love the smell of hot tar, which I associate with a tarred garden shed I used to play in as a child. So I might want to stop and breathe on a tarred road, fixate on roadworks, or love hot city days that others want to avoid!

However, someone with a traumatic experience in a tarry shed might feel very different.

Writing sense of smell effectively is a chance to tap into these deep-seated emotions. How can you exploit your characters’ individual reactions to smells?

Brainstorm smells from your past, and free-write on what they are and how they make you feel. Think about childhood, school, adolescence, relatives’ homes and places you’ve visited.

What emotions are associated with those smells? Write a paragraph about the smell and try to evoke the emotion without calling it by name.

Do any of them evoke a particular place, time or era? Consider how you might turn one of these triggers into a story.

Think like a perfumier or whisky taster

Perfumiers and wine, cheese, food and coffee tasters have a whole vocabulary of flavours related to their product areas. They’re usually called “notes”, and have different classifications.

The five main perfume families are floral, fresh (citrusy), oriental (warming), woody (amber, cedar, sandalwood) and fougère (meaning “fern” – lavender, bergamot).

Research olfactory words from one of these areas and gather inspiration for your work in progress. Use them to deepen the description or a character’s perceptions.

Consider the sound as well as the meaning of the words, and notice how they feel when you read them to yourself. Try “citrus”, “musk”, “caramel”. Try olfactory words in a scene involving food.

Read more articles on sensory writing: Sensory writing – sounds and music Sensory writing – the sense of smell Sensory writing – touch and texture

Smells and breathing

Smells aren’t just about notes and fragrances. Since we also breathe through our noses, smells are closely linked to feelings of comfort and discomfort. A violently pungent smell can make us hold our breath or stop breathing. It can even make us reel.

Someone once offered me smelling salts to try. I had no idea what they smelled like, but I knew that people wafted them under the noses of Victorian ladies, to help them recover from fainting. I intrepidly had a sniff, and nearly leapt in the air!

Smelling salts are ammonium carbonate – a kind of ammonia that hits the back of your throat and sears a hole in your airways. I often wonder what sort of expletives came from those Victorian women! They certainly wouldn’t come round gently.

Consider the intensity of specific smells, and their physical impact on the body and breathing.

Do they clog or dull someone’s airways? Do they heighten the senses, and make the person super-sensitive? Maybe they affect the eyes, the mouth, the throat? Or cause nausea or gagging?

If they’re attractive smells, do they entice your character, lure or draw them in? Try incorporating the physical nature of smells into a story.

Smells and viewpoint – near and far

Smells in description can help to emphasise viewpoint. Salt smells at the seaside that reach deep into the lungs convey a different viewpoint to a fleeting sense of strange perfume on your lover’s collar.

Smells can be deeply intimate and tiny, or all-embracing in the air around us. They can also appear and disappear on the wind – for example, the scent of fox or dead sheep as you’re walking in the countryside.

Think about smell and its scale in your work in progress. What are the surroundings like? Is the smell close and pinpoint focused, or all-enveloping? Is it contained in a space, or free to shift and evaporate? Does it evoke the natural or industrial world? Is it alien and new to its environment, or part of it?

Try incorporating a sense of smell into your setting, to create a more immersive experience for your readers.

Phantom and imaginative smells

Smells hit straight into the brain, and a confused brain can even manufacture smells. I used to wake up in the night plagued by nauseating smells of petrol fumes which my partner couldn’t detect at all. After much worrying and looking around for the source, I spotted a possible link to an increase in coffee drinking. I cut the coffee (terrible withdrawal headaches!) and the petrol smells miraculously disappeared.

This made me wonder about other phantom smells, and differences in perception. This petrol smell was so real, but it was all in my head.

What smells are noticed by some people and not others, and why? By animals?

What would it mean if you could smell something extraordinarily real that constricted your breathing, yet no one else could? Conversely, what would it mean to have no sense of smell?

Consider the imaginative ways that smells exist in our lives, and the moods and social situations they create. Try writing a story triggered by an unpleasant smell, or a pleasant one. Use techniques of exaggeration, transformation, inversion, scale and absence to explore your idea imaginatively.

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The Most Creative Words to Describe Smell

Table of Contents

When depicting smell, descriptive language can help the reader have a much more vivid experience. This article explores the best ways to depict smells and has compiled a list of words associated with scents.

The nose can recognize more than one trillion different scents. The ability to smell is extremely strong. We use smells to describe things we can’t see because they can arouse memories and emotions.

What happens, though, when we want to describe a smell to someone? How do we accurately describe the scent of a wet dog?

That’s why we decided to dedicate today’s post to the most creative words to describe smell that you can use. If this sounds interesting, keep on reading until the end!

Why Is Smell Important in Story Telling?

It’s challenging to depict smells. However, if you know the right words to use, it doesn’t have to be.

A smell is produced when molecules come into contact with the receptors in our noses.

Anything can produce these molecules, including foods, beverages, flowers, plants, animals, and even people. When molecules enter our nose, they interact with receptors there. This causes neurons to send a signal to our brain.

This is how smell appears to us.

The brain’s limbic system, which manages our emotions and memory, directly connects with our sense of smell. Because of this, certain smells have the power to transport us to a past moment or location instantly. Although people frequently disregard it, the sense of smell is one of the most effective ways to trigger emotions and memories.

Although you may be tempted to say, “It smells like a rose,” that isn’t very helpful to someone unfamiliar with rose smells. Additionally, there are numerous varieties of rose scents, including musky, floral, sweet, and others.

Try to determine which category a smell belongs to when encountering one you aren’t quite sure about. Explaining it to others will give you a place to start.

After extensive research, scientists have determined ten categories. These are:

• fragrant, 
• woody/resinous, 
• fruity (non-citrus), 
• chemical, 
• minty/peppermint,
• popcorn, 
• pungent, 

The classification of a scent is merely the beginning. There are numerous other ways to capture your reader’s imagination.

Defining Smell in Literature

Make an effort to consider all of a smell’s characteristics when describing it . It reminds you of what, precisely? What emotions does it stir up?

If you can be more specific, it will be easier for readers to see what you are trying to say. The best way to describe a smell is not always clear-cut.

It all comes down to using sensory language to paint a clear picture in the reader’s head.

Smells have the power to arouse potent memories and emotions. We frequently smell things before we see them. A bouquet of flowers is more than nice smells. They also represent love and passion. Because they paint a clear picture in our minds, adjectives are used to characterize smells.

A smell’s characteristics can be divided into five primary flavors: sweetness, sourness, bitterness, saltiness, and umami. Even though you can’t smell them, you can feel what they taste like.

A scent’s intensity can also describe it—is it light and airy or strong and earthy?

Making your description more evocative can be accomplished by identifying the feelings and emotions that a particular scent evokes.

Best Words to Describe Smell

Below you may find some of the most popular words that we use to relay smells in writing . If you think we missed some smells, let us know!

Final Words

The smell is only one of the five senses, but it is arguably one of the most difficult to describe. Smelling is such an inane thing to do, and in our daily lives, we are subjected to many smells. Be it fresh or rotten. However, it’s difficult to relate to a third party.

Smelling something is very important for tasting it as well, as many chefs understand food is ready just by its smell. So, in a sense, it’s one and a half senses, but we digress.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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