World Taste & Smell Association · Glossary Updated September 2026

Taste & Smell
Glossary

The vocabulary of chemosensory health — conditions, anatomy, tests, therapies and the sensory and perfumery terms that surround them. Written for patients, clinicians and press alike.

—Terms defined
—Categories
About this glossaryPlain-language definitions maintained by the World Taste & Smell Association. Educational only — not a diagnosis, and not a substitute for assessment by a clinician.
Suggest a termEmail a term, a correction or a better wording and we will review it for the next revision.
Find careSee the Directory of Smell & Taste Centers for clinics that evaluate and treat these conditions.

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Delicious For All

#DeliciousForAll is here to generate awareness, encourage empathy, and cultivate a more inclusive dining landscape that embraces the unique experiences and challenges faced by individuals with taste and smell impairments.