Smelling?

Question

Does "smelling" mostly only refer to the smell of garbage or food that has rotted that we won't normally eat?

Can it be used to refer to food or dishes that has strong smell but we will normally eat? For example, the durian is smelling but tastes so good. The curry is smelling but tastes good.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

kenny1999For example, the durian is smelling but tastes so good.

You want "smelly", not "smelling". "Smelly" refers only to bad odors.

CalifJim · Answer

kenny1999Does "smelling" mostly only refer to the smell of garbage or food that has rotted that we won't normally eat?

That is only one definition, and it's a rarely used one. We more often say "smelly" for that idea.

kenny1999For example, the durian is smelling but tastes so good. The curry is smelling but tastes good.

No, we would not express it that way. We use the simpler "smells bad", although you could also say "is smelly", but that's a less elegant way of saying it.

[The durian / The curry] smells bad, but it tastes good. Better.
[The durian / The curry] is smelly, but it tastes good. Possible, but not as good.

However, in the case of the durian, I don't think you intend to refer just to one durian that is the subject of your conversation. You intend to refer to all durians. That goes like this:

Durians smell bad, but they taste good.

CJ

Smelling?

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