In the sentence "I grimaced as I walked into my apartment and recognized the familiar smell of my roommate's cooking," the connotation of the word "smell" is likely:
- aroma
In this context, the word "smell" conveys a positive connotation, suggesting that the scent in the apartment is pleasant or appetizing, as it reminds the person of their roommate's cooking. The term "aroma" is often associated with a pleasant or enticing smell, which fits well with the idea that the smell in the apartment is familiar and evokes specific memories related to the roommate's cooking.
