smells awful vs smells awfully

Both 'smells awful' and 'smells awfully' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Smells awful' is the more commonly used phrase that describes a bad odor. 'Smells awfully' is less common and is typically used to describe the manner in which something (or someone) emits a smell.

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Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 21, 2025 • 4459 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe a bad smell.

"smells awful"

This phrase is used to describe a bad or unpleasant smell. 'Awful' is an adjective that modifies the noun 'smells.'

Examples:

The garbage smells awful.
The bathroom smells awful after someone used it.
The spoiled milk smells awful.
The sewer smells awful after the rain.
The dead fish smells awful.

Show examples from the web [+]

Smells awful, like fermented tofu.
I'm all done, but it smells awful.
And it's big, heavy and smells awful.
It really smells awful in here.
It smells awful nice in here.
I'm all done, but it smells awful.
Guns aren't lawful; nooses give... gas smells awful; you might as well live.
This guy smells awful - like bad food.
Smells awful, doesn't it, all that sulphur and volcanic ash?
This place smells awful!
nooses give gas smells awful;
He smells awful in any case.
It smells awful in here.
He smells awful. still, it was smart to change your name.
Smells awful in here!

Alternatives:

stinks
reeks
is foul-smelling
has a bad odor
has a putrid smell

This phrase is correct but less common in English. It is used to describe the manner in which something emits a smell.

"smells awfully"

'Awfully' is an adverb that modifies the verb 'smells' to describe how something smells. It is less commonly used compared to 'smells awful.'

Examples:

The flowers in the garden smell awfully sweet.
The perfume smells awfully strong.
The bakery smells awfully good.
The garbage can smells awfully bad.
The air freshener smells awfully artificial.

Show examples from the web [+]

I don't remember this place, Burt, but it smells awfully like a hospital to me.
Something smells awfully good.
You smell awfully good.
That's what you say now... but the smell of sawdust can get awfully monotonous after a while.

Alternatives:

smells very
smells extremely
smells incredibly
smells excessively
smells intensely

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smells awful vs smells awfully

"smells awful"

"smells awfully"

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