Station 5 of 13 · Perception · a tool
The Scent Translator
Describe a smell in everyday words. The translator shows which words it recognised, the scent concepts they may point to, and three different readings, each traced to the materials, molecules and teaching accords on record.
Modeled A modeled translation: words do not map uniquely to smells; this shows possibilities, not a formula. Nothing you type is stored or sent.
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Reading your own words needs JavaScript, which is off or has not loaded. Without it, the eight examples below are translated in full and the whole lexicon is listed, so every step can be followed by hand.
What the translator read
Eight phrases, translated
| Phrase | Reading A | Reading B | Reading C |
|---|---|---|---|
| “an old library after rain” recognised: “old library”, “rain” | paper and vanilla + wet earth fit: strong families balsamic · wood · moss/leather/animalic; qualities: sweet, powdery descriptors rooty (strong), vanilla (strong), mossy (possible), sweet (possible), powdery (weak) not on record paper, petrichor (the smell of rain on dry ground) materials vetiver oil (house interpretation; for rooty); oakmoss absolute (perfumery convention; for mossy) regulation: EU: its atranol and chloroatranol prohibited in cosmetics since 2019 (EU law) · IFRA: restriction / specification (an industry standard, not law) · US law: not on record · see the record; sandalwood oil (house interpretation; for sweet) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record molecules vanillin (documented; for vanilla, sweet) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; butylphenyl methylpropional (documented; for sweet) regulation: EU: prohibited in cosmetics since 2022 (EU law) · IFRA: restriction / prohibition (an industry standard, not law) · US law: not on record · see the record; coumarin (documented; for sweet) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · IFRA: restriction (an industry standard, not law) · US law: not on record · see the record; linalyl acetate (house interpretation; for sweet) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record teaching accords An amber (the perfumer’s, not the resin) (partly close), The fougère skeleton (partly close) | leather bindings and wood + cool green air fit: possible families moss/leather/animalic · green · wood; qualities: fresh descriptors green (strong), leathery (strong), fresh (possible), woody (possible), tobacco (weak) materials bergamot essential oil (documented; for fresh) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · IFRA: restriction (2 standards) (an industry standard, not law) · US law: not on record · see the record molecules Iso E Super (documented; for woody) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; agarospirol (documented; for woody); methyl dihydrojasmonate (documented; for fresh); limonene (house interpretation; for fresh) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record teaching accords none near | dust and orris + cool stone fit: weak families floral · herbaceous/herbal · wood; qualities: powdery, fresh descriptors powdery (strong), fresh (possible), violet (possible), camphoraceous (weak), woody (weak) not on record dust, mineral, wet stone materials bergamot essential oil (documented; for fresh) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · IFRA: restriction (2 standards) (an industry standard, not law) · US law: not on record · see the record molecules Iso E Super (documented; for violet) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; methyl dihydrojasmonate (documented; for fresh); α-irone (documented; for violet); limonene (house interpretation; for fresh) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record teaching accords A woody-ambery (partly close), The chypre skeleton (distant) |
| “an old wooden church with candle smoke and roses” recognised: “old”, “wooden”, “church”, “candle smoke”, “roses” | aged wood + dry wood + incense + wax and smoke + rose fit: strong families wood · balsamic · floral · musk · amber · moss/leather/animalic descriptors smoky (strong), woody (strong), balsamic (strong), rose (strong), waxy (possible), amber (weak), tobacco (weak) materials vetiver oil (house interpretation; for smoky); labdanum absolute (perfumery convention; for balsamic); frankincense (house interpretation; for balsamic) molecules Iso E Super (documented; for woody) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; agarospirol (documented; for woody); citronellol (documented; for rose) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; geraniol (documented; for rose) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record teaching accords A woody-ambery (partly close), The chypre skeleton (partly close) | powdery age + freshly cut wood + cool stone and lilies + wax and smoke + rose fit: possible families floral · wood · musk · balsamic · green · moss/leather/animalic; qualities: fresh, powdery descriptors rose (strong), smoky (strong), lily (possible), waxy (possible), woody (possible), fresh (weak), green (weak), leathery (weak), piney (weak), powdery (weak) not on record stone, mineral materials vetiver oil (house interpretation; for smoky) molecules Iso E Super (documented; for woody) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; citronellol (documented; for rose) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; geraniol (documented; for rose) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; β-damascenone (house interpretation; for rose) regulation: IFRA: restriction (an industry standard, not law) · US law: not on record · see the record teaching accords A woody-ambery (distant) | powdery age + dry wood + old wood and beeswax + church candles + rose fit: possible families wood · musk · floral · balsamic · moss/leather/animalic; qualities: honey, powdery descriptors woody (strong), waxy (strong), rose (strong), balsamic (possible), honey (weak), leathery (weak), powdery (weak), smoky (weak) materials labdanum absolute (perfumery convention; for balsamic); frankincense (house interpretation; for balsamic) molecules Iso E Super (documented; for woody) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; agarospirol (documented; for woody); citronellol (documented; for rose) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; geraniol (documented; for rose) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record teaching accords A woody-ambery (partly close), A rose, from four molecules (distant) |
| “clean laundry and sea air” recognised: “clean laundry”, “sea air” | soap + salt air fit: strong families none named; qualities: fresh, soapy, bright descriptors fresh (strong), soapy (strong), bright (weak) not on record marine, salt materials bergamot essential oil (documented; for fresh) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · IFRA: restriction (2 standards) (an industry standard, not law) · US law: not on record · see the record molecules methyl dihydrojasmonate (documented; for fresh); limonene (house interpretation; for fresh) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; citronellol (documented; for soapy) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record teaching accords A cologne (partly close), The chypre skeleton (partly close) | aldehydes + ambergris fit: possible families aldehydic · amber · musk; qualities: fresh, powdery descriptors aldehydic (strong), ambergris (strong), fresh (weak), musky (weak), powdery (weak) not on record salt molecules Iso E Super (documented; for ambergris) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record teaching accords A woody-ambery (distant) | soft musk + salt air fit: possible families musk; qualities: fresh, powdery, bright descriptors fresh (strong), musky (strong), powdery (possible), bright (weak) not on record marine, salt materials bergamot essential oil (documented; for fresh) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · IFRA: restriction (2 standards) (an industry standard, not law) · US law: not on record · see the record molecules methyl dihydrojasmonate (documented; for fresh); limonene (house interpretation; for fresh) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; musk ketone (perfumery convention; for musky) teaching accords A cologne (partly close), The chypre skeleton (partly close) |
| “a leather jacket by a campfire” recognised: “leather jacket”, “campfire” | tanned leather + wood smoke fit: strong families wood · moss/leather/animalic descriptors smoky (strong), leathery (strong), woody (possible) materials vetiver oil (house interpretation; for smoky) molecules Iso E Super (documented; for woody) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; agarospirol (documented; for woody) teaching accords A woody-ambery (partly close) | suede + smoke and resin fit: possible families balsamic · wood · moss/leather/animalic · floral; qualities: powdery descriptors smoky (strong), balsamic (possible), leathery (possible), powdery (possible), piney (weak), violet (weak) materials vetiver oil (house interpretation; for smoky); labdanum absolute (perfumery convention; for balsamic); frankincense (house interpretation; for balsamic) teaching accords An amber (the perfumer’s, not the resin) (partly close), A woody-ambery (partly close) | worn leather + smoke and leather fit: weak families moss/leather/animalic · wood · musk descriptors leathery (strong), animalic (possible), smoky (possible), musky (weak), tobacco (weak) materials jasmine absolute (house interpretation; for animalic) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; vetiver oil (house interpretation; for smoky) teaching accords none near |
| “my grandmother's garden in spring” recognised: “grandmother garden”, “spring” | roses and violets + green shoots fit: strong families floral · green; qualities: fresh, powdery descriptors green (strong), rose (strong), violet (possible), fresh (weak), powdery (weak) molecules citronellol (documented; for rose) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; geraniol (documented; for rose) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; β-damascenone (house interpretation; for rose) regulation: IFRA: restriction (an industry standard, not law) · US law: not on record · see the record; Iso E Super (documented; for violet) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record teaching accords A rose, from four molecules (distant) | lily of the valley + first flowers fit: possible families floral · green descriptors muguet (strong), floral (possible), green (possible) materials jasmine absolute (house interpretation; for floral) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; rose absolute (house interpretation; for floral) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; rose otto (house interpretation; for floral) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record molecules 2-phenylethyl alcohol (documented; for floral); Iso E Super (documented; for floral) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; methyl dihydrojasmonate (documented; for floral); α-terpineol (documented; for floral) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record teaching accords A muguet (lily of the valley), and what regulation took from it (distant) | herbs and hay + green shoots fit: strong families green · aromatic · herbaceous/herbal; qualities: fresh descriptors green (strong), hay (possible), camphoraceous (weak), fresh (weak) molecules coumarin (documented; for hay) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · IFRA: restriction (an industry standard, not law) · US law: not on record · see the record teaching accords The fougère skeleton (partly close) |
| “citrus peel and cut grass” recognised: “citrus peel”, “cut grass” | peel oil + cut leaves and stems fit: strong families citrus · green; qualities: bright, fresh descriptors citrus (strong), green (strong), bright (possible), fresh (possible) materials bergamot essential oil (documented; for citrus, fresh) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · IFRA: restriction (2 standards) (an industry standard, not law) · US law: not on record · see the record molecules methyl dihydrojasmonate (documented; for citrus, fresh); limonene (house interpretation; for bright, fresh) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; geraniol (documented; for citrus) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; α-terpineol (documented; for citrus) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record teaching accords A cologne (close), The chypre skeleton (partly close) | A, leaning towards lemony fit: weak families citrus · green; qualities: bright, fresh descriptors green (strong), bright (possible), citrus (possible), fresh (possible), lemony (possible) materials bergamot essential oil (documented; for citrus, fresh) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · IFRA: restriction (2 standards) (an industry standard, not law) · US law: not on record · see the record; frankincense (house interpretation; for lemony) molecules methyl dihydrojasmonate (documented; for citrus, fresh); limonene (house interpretation; for bright, fresh) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; geraniol (documented; for citrus) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; Iso E Super (documented; for lemony) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record teaching accords A cologne (partly close), The chypre skeleton (partly close) | A, leaning towards camphoraceous fit: weak families citrus · green · herbaceous/herbal; qualities: bright, fresh descriptors citrus (strong), bright (possible), camphoraceous (possible), fresh (possible), green (possible) materials bergamot essential oil (documented; for citrus, fresh) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · IFRA: restriction (2 standards) (an industry standard, not law) · US law: not on record · see the record; lavandin essential oil (documented; for camphoraceous) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record molecules methyl dihydrojasmonate (documented; for citrus, fresh); limonene (house interpretation; for bright, fresh) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; geraniol (documented; for citrus) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; α-terpineol (documented; for citrus) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record teaching accords A cologne (close), The chypre skeleton (partly close) |
| “warm skin, vanilla and something powdery” recognised: “warm skin”, “vanilla”, “powdery” | skin musk + vanilla + powdery fit: strong families balsamic · musk · moss/leather/animalic; qualities: powdery descriptors musky (strong), powdery (strong), vanilla (strong), animalic (weak) molecules vanillin (documented; for vanilla) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; musk ketone (perfumery convention; for musky) teaching accords An amber (the perfumer’s, not the resin) (distant) | clean skin + vanilla + powdery fit: strong families balsamic · musk; qualities: powdery, soapy descriptors powdery (strong), vanilla (strong), musky (possible), soapy (weak) molecules vanillin (documented; for vanilla) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; musk ketone (perfumery convention; for musky) teaching accords An amber (the perfumer’s, not the resin) (distant) | A, leaning towards waxy fit: weak families musk · balsamic · moss/leather/animalic; qualities: powdery descriptors powdery (strong), vanilla (strong), musky (possible), waxy (possible), animalic (weak) molecules vanillin (documented; for vanilla) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; musk ketone (perfumery convention; for musky) teaching accords An amber (the perfumer’s, not the resin) (distant) |
| “a pine forest in winter, not sweet” recognised: “pine”, “forest”, “winter”, set aside: “sweet” | pine needles + the damp floor + cold air fit: strong families balsamic · moss/leather/animalic · wood · green · herbaceous/herbal; qualities: fresh descriptors fresh (strong), mossy (strong), piney (strong), rooty (possible), balsamic (weak), camphoraceous (weak), green (weak) materials bergamot essential oil (documented; for fresh) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · IFRA: restriction (2 standards) (an industry standard, not law) · US law: not on record · see the record; oakmoss absolute (perfumery convention; for mossy) regulation: EU: its atranol and chloroatranol prohibited in cosmetics since 2019 (EU law) · IFRA: restriction / specification (an industry standard, not law) · US law: not on record · see the record; frankincense (house interpretation; for piney); vetiver oil (house interpretation; for rooty) molecules methyl dihydrojasmonate (documented; for fresh); limonene (house interpretation; for fresh) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record teaching accords The chypre skeleton (close), The fougère skeleton (partly close) | pine resin + pine and resin + by the fire fit: possible families balsamic · wood · spicy descriptors balsamic (strong), piney (strong), spicy (possible), woody (possible), smoky (weak) materials frankincense (house interpretation; for balsamic, piney); labdanum absolute (perfumery convention; for balsamic); rose absolute (house interpretation; for spicy) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; rose otto (house interpretation; for spicy) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record molecules agarospirol (documented; for spicy, woody); Iso E Super (documented; for woody) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record; coumarin (documented; for spicy) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · IFRA: restriction (an industry standard, not law) · US law: not on record · see the record teaching accords An amber (the perfumer’s, not the resin) (close), The chypre skeleton (partly close) | pine resin + the damp floor + by the fire fit: possible families balsamic · moss/leather/animalic · wood · spicy · green descriptors balsamic (strong), mossy (strong), piney (possible), rooty (possible), spicy (possible), green (weak), smoky (weak) materials frankincense (house interpretation; for balsamic, piney); labdanum absolute (perfumery convention; for balsamic); oakmoss absolute (perfumery convention; for mossy) regulation: EU: its atranol and chloroatranol prohibited in cosmetics since 2019 (EU law) · IFRA: restriction / specification (an industry standard, not law) · US law: not on record · see the record; rose absolute (house interpretation; for spicy) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · US law: not on record · see the record molecules agarospirol (documented; for spicy); coumarin (documented; for spicy) regulation: EU: to be named in the ingredient list above a stated concentration (EU law) · IFRA: restriction (an industry standard, not law) · US law: not on record · see the record teaching accords The chypre skeleton (partly close), An amber (the perfumer’s, not the resin) (partly close) |
How it works
- Words. Your phrase is split into words. Small words (a, of, the, like, smell…) are passed over and listed as such. Not, no, without and less set the next recognised word aside. Simple English endings are tried (roses, smoky, burning), but an exact word always wins, and longer phrases are matched before single words (“clean laundry” before “clean”). A word the lexicon does not hold is shown as not recognised, never guessed; a near spelling may be offered, never applied.
- The lexicon. 399 words and phrases in 185 entries, each with one to three readings. A reading points to odour descriptors on record, each weighted strong, possible or weak. Where a word carries a concept no descriptor covers yet (paper, dust, mineral, petrichor, salt…), the reading names it as a gap and uses the nearest descriptors on record.
- Scent concepts. A descriptor’s confidence adds its weights over your words (a word’s second reading counts 0.8, its third 0.65): strong from 2.4, possible from 1.5, weak below.
- Three readings. Every combination of your words’ readings is scored by how likely each reading is (first 1, second 0.8, third 0.65, averaged). A is the likeliest. B and C are chosen among the combinations whose descriptors overlap less than 80 % with the readings already shown (a weighted overlap of descriptor weights), ranked by likelihood × (1 − overlap)², so they differ in their families, not only in order. B and C are chosen to differ from A, not ranked by fit. When your words allow fewer than three different readings, a neighbouring reading leans A towards a term the descriptor record lists as related, and says so. Fit multiplies the likelihood by the share of your words recognised: strong from 0.9, possible from 0.7, weak below.
- The records behind a reading. The Material and Molecule records that carry its strongest descriptors, as the descriptor records list them, each with the carrier’s evidence (documented, perfumery convention or house interpretation), and the teaching accords nearest to it: closeness is the mean of two shares, the reading’s weight that the accord’s descriptors cover and the accord’s descriptors that the reading names (close from a half, partly close from a quarter).
- What it does not do. There is no language model and no network behind it: the lexicon is a file and the rules run in your browser. It gives no formula and no proportions. It names no more than the 44 descriptors on record, and it cannot know what a smell means to you.
Evidence labels in the lexicon: house interpretation (the house’s own reading of a word); after the record’s definition (a house reading that follows the descriptor’s definition); documented (a filed source on the descriptor record uses the word); the descriptor’s own term and a word the carriers use (the trade’s vocabulary as filed); the record’s own descriptor words (a material or molecule named by the visitor).
The lexicon
Every word the translator knows, with its readings and weights, so the rules can be checked. Also as data: /data/translator/lexicon.json (CC BY 4.0), compiled from the house word list and the records.
Show all 399 words and phrases
Scenes and memories (41)
- old library · library · old books · book · bookshop house interpretation
1. paper and vanilla: vanilla strong, sweet possible, powdery weak (not on record: paper) · 2. leather bindings and wood: leathery strong, woody possible, tobacco weak · 3. dust and orris: powdery strong, violet possible, woody weak (not on record: dust) - cellar · basement · cave · mushroom house interpretation
1. damp earth: mossy strong, rooty possible (not on record: mushroom) · 2. cold stone: fresh weak, mossy weak (not on record: mineral) - church · cathedral · chapel · temple house interpretation
1. incense: balsamic strong, smoky possible, amber weak · 2. old wood and beeswax: woody strong, waxy possible, honey weak · 3. cool stone and lilies: lily possible, fresh weak (not on record: stone, mineral) - campfire · bonfire · fireplace · fire · woodsmoke house interpretation
1. wood smoke: smoky strong, woody possible · 2. smoke and resin: smoky strong, balsamic possible, piney weak · 3. smoke and leather: smoky possible, leathery possible, tobacco weak - clean laundry · laundry · clean linen · linen · clean sheets house interpretation
1. soap: soapy strong, fresh possible · 2. aldehydes: aldehydic strong, fresh weak, powdery weak · 3. soft musk: musky strong, powdery possible, fresh weak - barbershop · shaving foam · aftershave house interpretation
1. fern and hay: hay possible, camphoraceous possible, fresh possible, mossy weak · 2. soap and talc: soapy strong, powdery possible - grandmother's garden · old garden · cottage garden house interpretation
1. roses and violets: rose strong, violet possible, powdery weak · 2. herbs and hay: hay possible, green possible, camphoraceous weak · 3. lily of the valley: muguet strong, green weak - grandmother · grandma · granny house interpretation
1. powder and rose: powdery strong, rose possible, violet weak · 2. a cologne: citrus possible, fresh possible, camphoraceous weak · 3. kitchen spice: spicy possible, vanilla possible, sweet weak - barn · stable · horse house interpretation
hay and animal: hay possible, animalic possible, leathery weak - medicine · hospital · antiseptic house interpretation, after the record’s definition of medicinal
antiseptic: medicinal strong, sharp weak - old fashioned · department store · dressing table house interpretation
1. aldehydes and powder: aldehydic strong, powdery possible, mossy weak · 2. powder and rose: powdery possible, rose possible, violet weak
Nature, weather and seasons (73)
- rain · rainy · storm · wet house interpretation
1. wet earth: rooty strong, mossy possible (not on record: petrichor (the smell of rain on dry ground)) · 2. cool green air: green strong, fresh possible · 3. cool stone: fresh possible, camphoraceous weak (not on record: mineral, wet stone) - petrichor · wet earth · wet ground house interpretation
1. wet earth: rooty strong, mossy strong (not on record: petrichor (the smell of rain on dry ground)) · 2. cool and mineral: fresh possible, green weak (not on record: mineral) - earth · earthy · soil · roots house interpretation, after the record’s definition of rooty
earth and roots: rooty strong, mossy possible - damp · forest floor · moss house interpretation, after the record’s definition of mossy
damp moss: mossy strong, rooty possible - forest · woodland house interpretation
1. the damp floor: mossy strong, rooty possible, green weak · 2. pine and resin: piney strong, balsamic possible, woody possible · 3. green canopy: green strong, woody weak, fresh weak - pine · pine needles · fir · christmas tree · juniper house interpretation, after the record’s definition of piney
1. pine needles: piney strong, fresh weak, balsamic weak · 2. pine resin: piney possible, balsamic possible - sea · sea air · sea breeze · ocean · beach · salt house interpretation
1. salt air: fresh strong, bright weak (not on record: marine, salt) · 2. ambergris: ambergris strong, musky weak (not on record: salt) · 3. driftwood: woody possible, ambergris weak (not on record: marine) - marine house interpretation, after the record’s definition of ambergris
ambergris: ambergris strong, fresh weak (not on record: marine) - water · watery · aquatic · river house interpretation
1. cool water: fresh possible, green weak (not on record: aquatic) · 2. a watery flower: lily possible, fresh weak (not on record: aquatic) - dew · dewy house interpretation, after the record’s definition of muguet
dewy flowers: muguet possible, fresh possible, green weak - air · airy · fresh air · breeze · ozone house interpretation, after the record’s definition of fresh
clean air: fresh strong, bright weak (not on record: ozonic) - stone · wet stone · mineral · concrete house interpretation
cool mineral: fresh weak (not on record: mineral) - garden · greenhouse house interpretation
1. flowers: floral strong, green possible · 2. leaves and soil: green strong, rooty weak - grass · cut grass · lawn · leaf · leaves house interpretation, after the record’s definition of green
cut leaves and stems: green strong, fresh weak - meadow · field house interpretation
1. grass and flowers: green possible, floral possible · 2. drying grass: hay strong, sweet weak - dried grass · straw · tonka · tonka bean house interpretation, after the record’s definition of hay
hay and tonka: hay strong, sweet possible, vanilla weak - autumn · fallen leaves · dry leaves house interpretation
1. dry leaves: hay possible, woody possible, tobacco weak · 2. wet leaves: mossy possible, rooty possible · 3. orchard fruit and spice: fruity possible, spicy weak - spring · springtime house interpretation
1. green shoots: green strong, fresh weak · 2. first flowers: floral possible, muguet weak, green weak - summer · sun · sunshine house interpretation
1. bright sun: bright strong, citrus possible · 2. sun-warm skin: musky possible, sweet weak, creamy weak - winter · snow house interpretation
1. cold air: fresh strong, camphoraceous weak · 2. by the fire: spicy possible, balsamic weak, smoky weak - tropical house interpretation
1. tropical flowers: narcotic possible, fruity possible · 2. green heat: green strong, mossy weak - herbs · herbal · rosemary · sage · basil house interpretation
1. cool herbs: camphoraceous possible, green possible · 2. aromatic herbs: camphoraceous weak, fresh weak, spicy weak - thyme documented: a carrier’s quote on the record of medicinal; KLE-1
thyme: medicinal strong, camphoraceous weak, green weak
Things and materials (63)
- paper · old paper · parchment · page house interpretation
1. paper and vanilla: vanilla possible, sweet weak, woody weak (not on record: paper) · 2. dry paper: powdery possible, woody weak (not on record: paper) - dust · dusty · attic house interpretation
1. dust and powder: powdery possible, woody weak (not on record: dust) · 2. dry wood: woody possible, hay weak (not on record: dust) - incense house interpretation
1. resin smoke: smoky strong, balsamic strong · 2. bright resin: balsamic strong, lemony possible, piney possible - resin · balsam · benzoin · myrrh house interpretation, after the record’s definition of balsamic
1. warm resin: balsamic strong, amber possible · 2. sharp resin: balsamic possible, piney possible, medicinal weak - smoke · burnt · ash · tar house interpretation, after the record’s definition of smoky
smoke: smoky strong, woody weak - candle · candlelight house interpretation
1. warm wax: waxy strong, honey weak, sweet weak · 2. a scented candle: vanilla possible, sweet possible, waxy weak - candle smoke · snuffed candle house interpretation
1. wax and smoke: smoky strong, waxy possible · 2. church candles: waxy possible, balsamic possible, smoky weak - wax · furniture polish house interpretation, after the record’s definition of waxy
wax: waxy strong, woody weak - beeswax · honeycomb house interpretation
honey and wax: honey strong, waxy strong - metal · metallic · iron house interpretation
metal: sharp weak (not on record: metallic) - shampoo house interpretation
soap and fruit: soapy possible, fruity possible, floral weak - powder · face powder · makeup · talc · lipstick house interpretation, after the record’s definition of powdery
1. face powder: powdery strong, violet weak · 2. soft musk: powdery possible, musky possible - leather · leather jacket · saddle · suede house interpretation, after the record’s definition of leathery
1. tanned leather: leathery strong, smoky weak · 2. suede: leathery possible, powdery possible, violet weak · 3. worn leather: leathery possible, animalic possible, musky weak - oud · agarwood (agarwood oil) house interpretation
1. dark wood: woody strong, animalic possible, smoky weak · 2. wood and leather: woody possible, leathery possible, spicy weak - cologne house interpretation
citrus and herbs: citrus strong, fresh possible, bright weak - wood · wooden · cedar · oak · pencil shavings · sawdust house interpretation, after the record’s definition of woody
1. dry wood: woody strong · 2. freshly cut wood: woody possible, green weak, piney weak - birch house interpretation
birch and leather: woody possible, leathery possible, smoky weak - pipe tobacco · cigar · cigarette · tobacco leaf house interpretation, after the record’s definition of tobacco
1. cured leaf: tobacco strong, hay weak · 2. smoked leaf: tobacco possible, smoky possible, leathery weak - camphor · eucalyptus · mint · menthol house interpretation, after the record’s definition of camphoraceous
camphor: camphoraceous strong, fresh possible (not on record: minty) - musk · skin · warm skin house interpretation, after the record’s definition of musky
1. skin musk: musky strong, animalic weak · 2. clean skin: musky possible, soapy weak, powdery weak - animal · fur · civet · dirty · sweat house interpretation, after the record’s definition of animalic
1. animal warmth: animalic strong, musky weak · 2. frankly dirty: animalic possible, fecal weak
Food and drink (63)
- vanilla pod · vanilla bean · custard (cured vanilla pods) house interpretation, after the record’s definition of vanilla
vanilla: vanilla strong, sweet possible, creamy weak - citrus peel · peel · zest · orange peel · lemon peel house interpretation, after the record’s definition of citrus
peel oil: citrus strong, bright possible, fresh weak - lemon · lime · lemonade house interpretation, after the record’s definition of lemony
lemon: lemony strong, citrus possible, sharp weak - orange · mandarin · grapefruit house interpretation
sweet citrus: citrus strong, fruity weak, sweet weak - sugar · candy · dessert · cake · baking house interpretation, after the record’s definition of sweet
sugar and vanilla: sweet strong, vanilla possible (not on record: gourmand (edible notes)) - caramel · toffee house interpretation
cooked sugar: sweet strong, vanilla weak (not on record: caramel) - chocolate · cocoa house interpretation
sweet cocoa: sweet possible, vanilla weak, milky weak (not on record: chocolate) - coffee · toast · bread house interpretation
roasted: smoky weak, sweet weak (not on record: roasted) - milk · cream · butter house interpretation, after the record’s definition of milky
warm milk: milky strong, creamy possible - coconut documented: a carrier’s quote on the record of powdery; KLE-1
coconut: powdery possible, sweet possible, creamy weak (not on record: coconut) - almond · marzipan house interpretation
sweet almond: sweet possible, powdery weak (not on record: almond) - fruit · berry · apple · plum · peach · cherry · strawberry house interpretation, after the record’s definition of fruity
ripe fruit: fruity strong, sweet weak - jam · marmalade · dried fruit house interpretation, after the record’s definition of jammy
cooked fruit: jammy strong, fruity possible, sweet weak - fig house interpretation
fig fruit and leaf: fruity possible, green possible, milky weak - whisky · whiskey · rum · cognac house interpretation
oak and vanilla: woody possible, vanilla possible, smoky weak (not on record: boozy) - wine house interpretation
dark fruit: jammy possible, fruity possible, spicy weak (not on record: boozy) - gin house interpretation
juniper and peel: piney possible, fresh possible, citrus weak - tea · black tea · green tea house interpretation
1. green leaf: green possible, hay weak · 2. smoked leaf: smoky possible, tobacco weak - earl grey house interpretation
bergamot tea: citrus strong, green weak, floral weak - spice · clove · cinnamon · nutmeg · cardamom house interpretation, after the record’s definition of spicy
kitchen spice: spicy strong, sweet weak - pepper · black pepper · peppercorn house interpretation, after the record’s definition of peppery
peppercorn: peppery strong, spicy possible - ginger · saffron house interpretation
warm spice: spicy possible, citrus weak, fresh weak
Flowers (27)
- flower · flowery · bouquet · blossom · petals house interpretation, after the record’s definition of floral
flowers: floral strong - white flowers · heady · tuberose · gardenia house interpretation, after the record’s definition of narcotic
1. white flowers: narcotic strong, jasmine possible, floral possible · 2. creamy petals: floral possible, creamy possible, narcotic weak - orange blossom · neroli house interpretation
white flower and peel: floral strong, citrus possible, narcotic weak - honeysuckle · mimosa house interpretation
honeyed flowers: floral strong, honey possible, powdery weak - lily of the valley · hyacinth house interpretation, after the record’s definition of muguet
lily of the valley: muguet strong, green weak, fresh weak - lilies house interpretation
lilies: lily strong, floral possible - peony · freesia · lilac · magnolia house interpretation
light spring flowers: floral strong, fresh weak, green weak - carnation house interpretation
spiced flower: floral possible, spicy strong - iris · orris · orris root · orris butter (orris butter) house interpretation, after the record’s definition of violet
orris: powdery strong, violet strong, woody weak - lavender (lavender essential oil) house interpretation
1. fresh lavender: fresh possible, floral possible, camphoraceous weak · 2. lavender and hay: hay possible, camphoraceous possible - jasmine concrete (jasmine concrete) house interpretation
waxy jasmine: jasmine strong, waxy possible, narcotic weak
Qualities (30)
- clean · soap house interpretation, after the record’s definition of soapy
1. soap: soapy strong, fresh possible · 2. clean musk: musky possible, fresh possible - cold · cool · icy · crisp house interpretation, after the record’s definition of camphoraceous
cool: fresh strong, camphoraceous weak - dark · deep house interpretation
1. dark and resinous: amber weak, balsamic weak, smoky weak · 2. dark and leathery: leathery weak, animalic weak - old · aged · antique · vintage house interpretation
1. aged wood: woody weak, tobacco weak · 2. powdery age: powdery weak, leathery weak - fizzy · sparkling · champagne house interpretation, after the record’s definition of aldehydic
fizz: aldehydic possible, bright possible, citrus weak - warm · warmth house interpretation, after the record’s definition of amber
1. resinous warmth: amber strong, balsamic possible · 2. sweet warmth: vanilla possible, sweet possible · 3. skin warmth: musky possible, animalic weak - soft · gentle · velvet · silky house interpretation, after the record’s definition of creamy
soft and rounded: creamy possible, musky possible, powdery weak - light · sheer house interpretation
sheer and fresh: fresh possible, bright weak - rich · heavy · opulent house interpretation
1. rich resins: amber possible, balsamic possible · 2. rich flowers: narcotic possible, floral weak - dry · desert house interpretation
dry wood: woody weak, hay weak, powdery weak - bitter · sour house interpretation
bitter green: green possible, sharp possible (not on record: bitter)
Moods (16)
- night · evening house interpretation
1. dark resins: amber possible, balsamic possible · 2. night flowers: narcotic strong, jasmine possible - sensual · sexy house interpretation
1. skin and resin: musky possible, amber possible, animalic weak · 2. heady flowers: narcotic possible, jasmine weak, floral weak - cozy · cosy · cashmere house interpretation
1. vanilla and amber: vanilla possible, amber possible, musky weak · 2. soft wool: musky possible, powdery possible - calm · peaceful house interpretation
1. soft wood: woody weak, powdery weak, musky weak · 2. lavender: floral weak, camphoraceous weak, fresh weak - happy · cheerful · zesty · lively house interpretation, after the record’s definition of uplifting
sparkling top notes: uplifting strong, bright possible, citrus weak - elegant · polished · classic house interpretation, after the record’s definition of refined
polished: refined possible, powdery weak, aldehydic weak
Materials and molecules on record (32)
- bergamot (bergamot essential oil) the record’s own descriptor words; PDO-1; documented
as its record describes it: fresh possible, citrus possible - frankincense · olibanum (frankincense) the record’s own descriptor words; house interpretation
as its record describes it: lemony possible, piney possible, balsamic possible - jasmine absolute (jasmine absolute) the record’s own descriptor words; house interpretation
as its record describes it: floral possible, narcotic possible, animalic possible - labdanum · cistus (labdanum absolute) the record’s own descriptor words; perfumery convention
as its record describes it: balsamic possible, amber possible - lavandin (lavandin essential oil) the record’s own descriptor words; HV-4; documented
as its record describes it: camphoraceous strong - oakmoss · oak moss (oakmoss absolute) the record’s own descriptor words; perfumery convention
as its record describes it: mossy strong - rose absolute (rose absolute) the record’s own descriptor words; house interpretation
as its record describes it: honey possible, spicy possible, floral possible - rose otto · rose oil (rose otto) the record’s own descriptor words; house interpretation
as its record describes it: honey possible, spicy possible, floral possible - sandalwood (sandalwood oil) the record’s own descriptor words; house interpretation
1. as its record describes it: creamy possible, milky possible, sweet possible · 2. soft wood (a house reading): woody strong, creamy weak - vetiver (vetiver oil) the record’s own descriptor words; house interpretation
as its record describes it: smoky possible, rooty possible - irone (α-irone) the record’s own descriptor words; GC-4; documented
as its record describes it: violet strong - terpineol (α-terpineol) the record’s own descriptor words; OT-1; documented
as its record describes it: floral possible, citrus possible - benzyl acetate (benzyl acetate) the record’s own descriptor words; JAS-2; documented
as its record describes it: jasmine strong - damascenone (β-damascenone) the record’s own descriptor words; house interpretation
as its record describes it: rose possible, fruity possible, jammy possible - citronellol (citronellol) the record’s own descriptor words; OT-1; documented
as its record describes it: soapy possible, rose possible - coumarin (coumarin) the record’s own descriptor words; KLE-1; documented
as its record describes it: sweet possible, spicy possible, hay possible - geraniol (geraniol) the record’s own descriptor words; OT-1; documented
as its record describes it: rose possible, citrus possible - indole (indole) the record’s own descriptor words; house interpretation
as its record describes it: fecal possible, narcotic possible - iso e super (Iso E Super) the record’s own descriptor words; ISO-2; documented
as its record describes it: woody possible, floral possible, ambergris possible, violet possible, lemony possible - limonene (limonene) the record’s own descriptor words; house interpretation
as its record describes it: bright possible, fresh possible, uplifting possible - linalool (linalool) the record’s own descriptor words; house interpretation
as its record describes it: sharp possible, medicinal possible - linalyl acetate (linalyl acetate) the record’s own descriptor words; house interpretation
as its record describes it: refined possible, sweet possible - hedione (methyl dihydrojasmonate) the record’s own descriptor words; KLE-1; documented
as its record describes it: fresh possible, citrus possible, floral possible - musk ketone (musk ketone) the record’s own descriptor words; KLE-1; perfumery convention
as its record describes it: musky strong - lilial (butylphenyl methylpropional) the record’s own descriptor words; ENE-1; documented
as its record describes it: sweet possible, lily possible - phenylethyl alcohol (2-phenylethyl alcohol) the record’s own descriptor words; OT-1; documented
as its record describes it: floral possible, honey possible - vanillin (vanillin) the record’s own descriptor words; OT-1; documented
as its record describes it: vanilla possible, sweet possible - agarospirol (agarospirol) the record’s own descriptor words; GC-14; documented
as its record describes it: spicy possible, peppery possible, woody possible
The descriptor vocabulary (54)
- aldehydic the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
aldehydic: aldehydic strong - amber the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
amber: amber strong - ambergris the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
ambergris: ambergris strong - animalic the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
animalic: animalic strong - balsamic the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
balsamic: balsamic strong - bright the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
bright: bright strong - camphoraceous the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
camphoraceous: camphoraceous strong - citrus the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
citrus: citrus strong - creamy the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
creamy: creamy strong - fecal the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
fecal: fecal strong - floral the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
floral: floral strong - fresh the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
fresh: fresh strong - fruity the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
fruity: fruity strong - green the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
green: green strong - hay the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
hay: hay strong - honey the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
honey: honey strong - jammy the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
jammy: jammy strong - jasmine the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
jasmine: jasmine strong - leathery the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
leathery: leathery strong - lemony the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
lemony: lemony strong - lily the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
lily: lily strong - medicinal the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
medicinal: medicinal strong - milky the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
milky: milky strong - mossy the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
mossy: mossy strong - muguet the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
muguet: muguet strong - musky the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
musky: musky strong - narcotic the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
narcotic: narcotic strong - peppery the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
peppery: peppery strong - piney the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
piney: piney strong - powdery the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
powdery: powdery strong - refined the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
refined: refined strong - rooty the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
rooty: rooty strong - rose the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
rose: rose strong - sharp the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
sharp: sharp strong - smoky the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
smoky: smoky strong - soapy the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
soapy: soapy strong - spicy the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
spicy: spicy strong - sweet the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
sweet: sweet strong - tobacco the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
tobacco: tobacco strong - uplifting the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
uplifting: uplifting strong - vanilla the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
vanilla: vanilla strong - violet the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
violet: violet strong - waxy the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
waxy: waxy strong - woody the descriptor’s own term; perfumery convention
woody: woody strong - Aldéhydé a word the record’s carriers use; OSMO-1; documented
aldehydic: aldehydic strong - Ambré a word the record’s carriers use; OSMO-1; documented
amber: amber strong - camphorous a word the record’s carriers use; KLE-1; documented
camphoraceous: camphoraceous strong - citric · Hespéridé a word the record’s carriers use; KLE-1, OSMO-1; documented
citrus: citrus strong - Vert a word the record’s carriers use; OSMO-1; documented
green: green strong - honeyed a word the record’s carriers use; house interpretation
honey: honey strong - Cuir · Cuiré a word the record’s carriers use; OSMO-1; documented
leathery: leathery strong - sharper a word the record’s carriers use; house interpretation
sharp: sharp strong
The odour descriptors, from rose · The teaching accords · Read the essay on perception
The lexicon as data is published under CC BY 4.0.
the lexicon as data: /data/translator/lexicon.json · version 1 · updated 2026-09-30