Smelt vs. Smelled — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 1, 2023
"Smelt" is the simple past form of "smell," used in British English. "Smelled" is the simple past and past participle form, used in both British and American English.
Difference Between Smelt and Smelled
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Key Differences
The word "smelt" functions as the simple past tense of the verb "smell" predominantly in British English. It is used to describe the act of perceiving an odor or scent at a specific point in the past. On the other hand, "smelled" is the simple past and past participle form of "smell," and it's widely accepted in both American and British English. It serves the same purpose of indicating the action of smelling in the past.
While "smelt" adds a traditional flavor to the language and is often heard in British English, "smelled" is more universally recognized. The usage of "smelt" can sometimes be perceived as archaic or overly formal, particularly in American English. Conversely, "smelled" is the go-to choice in everyday conversation and writing across various English dialects.
In literature, "smelt" might be chosen for its poetic or stylistic value, especially in British works. It can evoke a sense of nostalgia or classicism. "Smelled," being more neutral and contemporary, is likely to appear in a wider range of texts, from academic papers to casual dialogues. It’s the more versatile and commonly used of the two.
Both "smelt" and "smelled" convey the same fundamental meaning but differ in their regional and stylistic connotations. The choice between them largely depends on the audience, context, and the speaker's or writer's preference for British or American English standards. Understanding these nuances ensures effective and appropriate communication.
Comparison Chart
Usage
Predominantly British English
Used in both British and American English
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Connotation
Can be perceived as formal or archaic
More neutral and contemporary
Regional Preference
Preferred in the UK
Commonly used in both the UK and the US
Versatility
Less versatile, more specific to a style
Highly versatile in various contexts
Stylistic Value
Often chosen for traditional or poetic flair
Neutral, suitable for a wide range of texts
Compare with Definitions
Smelt
To give off an odor (British English past tense).
The room smelt of fresh paint.
Smelled
Past tense and past participle of smell.
He smelled the flowers and felt happy.
Smelt
Simple past tense of smell (British English).
Yesterday, I smelt the roses in the garden.
Smelled
To have a particular quality or suggestion detectable by the sense of smell.
The air smelled fresh after the rain.
Smelt
To perceive or detect an odor by the sense of smell (British English past tense).
She smelt the perfume and smiled.
Smelled
To use the sense of smell to identify or investigate something.
The detective smelled the substance for clues.
Smelt
To extract metal from its ore by a process involving heating and melting.
The factory smelt iron to produce steel.
Smelled
To emit or give off an odor.
The kitchen smelled of baking bread.
Smelt
A small, silvery fish found in cold waters.
We caught smelt while ice fishing.
Smelled
To perceive or detect an odor by the sense of smell.
She smelled smoke and called for help.
Smelt
To melt or fuse (ores) in order to separate the metallic constituents.
Smelled
The sense, located in the nasal cavities of mammals and relying on the olfactory nerves, by which molecules borne in a fluid such as air can be perceived; the olfactory sense.
Smelt
To melt or fuse. Used of ores.
Smelled
A similar sense in other animals, as insects' ability to perceive air-borne molecules with their antennae.
Smelt
A past tense and a past participle of smell.
Smelled
The act or an instance of smelling
Got a smell of the pie.
Smelt
Any of various small silvery marine, freshwater, and anadromous food fishes of the family Osmeridae, found in cold waters of the Northern Hemisphere, especially Osmerus mordax of North America and O. eperlanus of Europe.
Smelled
A quality of something that is perceived by the sense of smell; an odor
The smell of a barn.
Smelt
Any small anadromous fish of the family Osmeridae, found in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and in lakes in North America and northern part of Europe.
Smelled
A distinctive enveloping or characterizing quality; an aura or trace
The smell of success.
Smelt
(obsolete) A fool; a simpleton.
Smelled
To perceive (an odor) by the sense of smell.
Smelt
Production of metal, especially iron, from ore in a process that involves melting and chemical reduction of metal compounds into purified metal.
Smelled
To perceive or detect (something) by a chemosensory organ, such as an antenna.
Smelt
Any of the various liquids or semi-molten solids produced and used during the course of such production.
Smelled
To inhale the air near (something); sniff
Smiled as she smelled the rose.
Smelt
Simple past tense and past participle of smell
Smelled
To detect or discover, as by intuition or inference
We smelled trouble ahead. The committee tried to smell out corruption in law enforcement.
Smelt
To fuse or melt two things into one, especially in order to extract metal from ore; to meld.
Smelled
To use the sense of smell.
Smelt
Any one of numerous species of small silvery salmonoid fishes of the genus Osmerus and allied genera, which ascend rivers to spawn, and sometimes become landlocked in lakes. They are esteemed as food, and have a peculiar odor and taste.
Smelled
To sniff
The dog was smelling around the bed.
Smelt
A gull; a simpleton.
Smelled
To have or emit an odor
"The breeze smelled exactly like Vouvray—flowery, with a hint of mothballs underneath" (Anne Tyler).
Smelt
To melt or fuse, as, ore, for the purpose of separating and refining the metal; hence, to reduce; to refine; to flux or scorify; as, to smelt tin.
Smelled
To have or emit an unpleasant odor; stink
This closet smells.
Smelt
Small cold-water silvery fish; migrate between salt and fresh water
Smelled
To be suggestive; have a touch of something
A remark that smells of sanctimony.
Smelt
Small trout-like silvery marine or freshwater food fishes of cold northern waters
Smelled
To appear to be dishonest or corrupt
The political situation is starting to smell.
Smelt
Extract (metals) by heating
Smelled
Simple past tense and past participle of smell
Common Curiosities
Can "smelt" and "smelled" be used interchangeably?
Yes, but "smelt" is more common in British English.
Is "smelt" considered formal?
In some contexts, especially in American English, it can be seen as more formal.
Are there spelling variations for "smelled"?
No, "smelled" is the standard spelling in both American and British English.
Does "smelt" have meanings other than being the past tense of "smell"?
Yes, it also means to extract metal from ore and refers to a type of fish.
Can "smelt" be used as a past participle?
In British English, it can be, but "smelled" is more common as a past participle.
Do "smelt" and "smelled" have the same pronunciation?
Yes, they are pronounced similarly, with the difference being in the ending sounds.
Does the use of "smelt" differ in British literature?
Yes, it's often used for traditional or stylistic purposes in British literature.
Is "smelled" used in describing past events?
Yes, "smelled" is used as the past tense when describing past events.
Is "smelt" used in American English?
"Smelt" is less common in American English; "smelled" is preferred.
Is "smelled" correct in British English?
Yes, "smelled" is correct and widely used in British English.
Is "smelled" universally understood?
Yes, "smelled" is universally understood in English-speaking regions.
Are there any regional dialects that prefer "smelt" over "smelled"?
Yes, some regional dialects in the UK may show a preference for "smelt."
Does context influence the choice between "smelt" and "smelled"?
Yes, context, audience, and regional language norms can influence the choice.
Is "smelled" acceptable in academic writing?
Yes, "smelled" is acceptable and commonly used in academic writing.
Can "smelt" be used in informal conversation?
Yes, especially in British English, it can be used informally.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
