Smelled-Smelt | Commonly Confused Words

Smelled

To perceive a scent or odor through the nose.

/smelt/

To extract metal from its ore by heating and melting

Smelled is the more common American English past tense and past participle of smell.
Smelt is commonly used in British English in the same context as smelled.
Smelt is also a term for a small fish, usually found in fresh water.
If youre talking or writing in American English, default to smelled' for past tense.
In British English contexts, smelt is perfectly acceptable for the same past tense meaning.