anosmia

noun

an·​os·​mia a-ˈnäz-mē-ə 

: loss or impairment of the sense of smell

anosmic

a-ˈnäz-mik 

adjective

Examples of anosmia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As a result, some scientists would like to see the same test performed on people who have acquired anosmia. —Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024

But anosmia is more often acquired through a viral infection such as COVID, a traumatic brain injury or neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. —Hannah Docter-Loeb, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2024

Nearly 1 in 4 people have anosmia, according to National Institutes of Health estimates. —Linda Carroll, NBC News, 22 Oct. 2024

The loss of smell, or anosmia, is such a common symptom of Covid-19 that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently added it to its official list. —Greg Miller, Discover Magazine, 19 May 2020

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from Greek an- an- + -osmia (as in euosmía "fragrance, perfume," kakosmía "bad odor"), from -osmos "having an odor (of the kind specified)" (adjective derivative from osmḗ "odor, scent," going back to *od-smā, derivative—with -smē, -mē, deverbal noun suffix—of od-, base of ózein "to smell, give off an odor") + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at odor

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

anosmia

noun

an·​os·​mia a-ˈnäz-mē-ə 

: loss or impairment of the sense of smell

anosmic

-mik 

adjective