scent vs smell

scent and smell both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
scent	Yes	No	Yes	No
smell	Yes	No	Yes	No

As nouns, scent and smell are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of scent include aroma, odor, odour, olfactory property.

As nouns, smell is a hypernym of scent; that is, smell is a word with a broader meaning than scent:

scent: an odor left in passing by which a person or animal can be traced
smell: the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form

Other hypernyms of scent include odor, odour, olfactory perception, olfactory sensation.

As nouns, smell is a hypernym of scent; that is, smell is a word with a broader meaning than scent:

scent: a distinctive odor that is pleasant
smell: the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form

Other hypernyms of scent include odor, odour, olfactory perception, olfactory sensation.

As verbs, smell is a hypernym of scent; that is, smell is a word with a broader meaning than scent:

scent (noun)	smell (noun)
any property detected by the olfactory system	the act of perceiving the odor of something
an odor left in passing by which a person or animal can be traced	any property detected by the olfactory system
a distinctive odor that is pleasant	the faculty that enables us to distinguish scents
	the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
	the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people

scent (verb)	smell (verb)
apply perfume to	become aware of not through the senses but instinctively
catch the scent of; get wind of	emit an odor
cause to smell or be smelly	inhale the odor of; perceive by the olfactory sense
	smell bad
	have an element suggestive (of something)