luktende

Luktende is a Norwegian adjective meaning “smelling” or “fragrant.” It is formed from the verb lukte (to smell) by adding the present-participle suffix -ende. The word describes something that emits a noticeable odor, typically a pleasant one, as in «luktende blomster» (fragrant flowers) or «luktende krydder» (aromatic spices). It can also describe more neutral or strong scents depending on context.

In usage, luktende typically functions as an attributive modifier before a noun, as in «luktende blomster,» but it can appear in predicative position in some constructions: «Blomsten er luktende» is possible, though «Blomsten lukter godt» is often more natural in everyday speech. The nuance of the term is that it emphasizes the presence of a smell rather than judging it as strictly pleasant or unpleasant.

Cross-linguistically, cognate forms exist in other Scandinavian languages with similar meanings, such as Danish lugtende and Swedish luktande, reflecting a shared Germanic heritage. Etymologically, luktende derives from the noun lukt (“smell, scent”) plus the -ende participle suffix.

See also: lukt, lukte, duft.