Past tense of smell
The past simple of smell is smelled and the past participle is smelt: smell – smelled – smelt.
- Base form V1
- smell
- Past simple V2
- smelled
- Past participle V3
- smelt
In American English the past participle is smelled (smell – smelled – smelled).
Smelt is also used in British English.
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Meaning of smell
To possess an odour that can be detected through the nose
- ExampleThe kitchen smells strongly of garlic.
Smell, smelled, smelt in sentences
- Past simpleThe soup smelled wonderful.
- Past participleThis room has smelt of paint all week.
Similar verbs
All three forms different, like smell: be, do, go, know, see, take, give, write.
Common questions
What is the past tense of smell?
Smelled. For example: The soup smelled wonderful.
What is the past participle of smell?
Smelt. It follows have in the perfect tenses, as in This room has smelt of paint all week.
Is smell a regular verb?
It is both. Smell has the irregular smelt, and the regular smelled is also correct.
