matlukt

Matlukt is a noun in Norwegian and other North Germanic languages that refers to the smell or aroma of food, especially the scent produced by cooking or the aroma of a prepared meal. It is a sensory term often used to evoke appetite and the hospitality associated with home-cooked meals.

Etymology and usage notes: The word is a compound of mat meaning “food” and lukt meaning “smell” or “odor.” It shares cognates across Scandinavian languages and is closely tied to the culinary context. The expression emphasizes food-related fragrance rather than a general odor, and it can carry connotations of warmth, home, and nourishment.

Usage: Matlukt is commonly used to describe the pleasant scent wafting from a kitchen or kitchen table. It appears in everyday speech, literature, and journalism to convey a sense of hominess, comfort, and welcome. The term can be used descriptively to highlight the sensory appeal of a meal or metaphorically to suggest hospitality, domestic life, or nostalgia tied to food and family gatherings.

See also: Aroma, Smell, Odor, Cuisine.