Olfactorily

Olfactorily is an adverb meaning in a manner relating to the sense of smell or odor perception. It describes how something is perceived through olfaction, or how odors are experienced or evaluated. The term is derived from the adjective olfactory, which pertains to smell, with the standard English adverb-forming suffix -ly.

Etymology and relationship: Olfactory comes from Latin olfactorius, based on olfactus (smell) and the verb olfacere (to smell). Olfactorily, as the adverb, functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or phrases that refer to odor or smelling processes. It is closely linked to other olfaction-related terminology such as olfaction (the sense of smell), olfactory bulb (a brain structure involved in smell), and olfactory receptors.

Usage: Olfactorily is relatively uncommon in everyday speech and writing. It tends to appear in scientific, literary, or formal discussions of smell, perception, or fragrance, where a precise description of odor quality or detectability is desired. In many contexts, writers opt for simpler phrasing such as “by smell,” “in terms of odor,” or the adjective form olfactory paired with a separate adverb (e.g., “The scent was olfactory and distinct,” or “The odor was clearly detectable.”).

Examples:

- The perfume was olfactorily complex, with notes of citrus, hyacinth, and musk.

- The compound proved olfactorily detectable at low concentrations.

See also: olfactory, olfaction, anosmia, olfactory bulb, olfactory receptor.