Odore vs. profumo
The Italian words 'odore' and 'profumo' both relate to smells, but they have distinct connotations and usage in the Italian language.
Odore
'Odore' generally refers to any smell or odor, whether pleasant or unpleasant. It is a neutral term that can describe a wide range of scents.
C'è un forte odore di bruciato in cucina.
(There's a strong smell of burning in the kitchen.)
L'odore del caffè appena fatto mi sveglia ogni mattina.
(The smell of freshly brewed coffee wakes me up every morning.)
Il cane ha un odore sgradevole dopo essere stato sotto la pioggia.
(The dog has an unpleasant smell after being in the rain.)
Profumo
'Profumo' specifically refers to a pleasant fragrance or perfume. It is used for describing good smells and is often associated with intentionally created scents.
Il profumo dei fiori in giardino è meraviglioso.
(The fragrance of the flowers in the garden is wonderful.)
Maria indossa sempre un profumo delizioso.
(Maria always wears a delightful perfume.)
Il profumo del pane appena sfornato riempie tutta la casa.
(The aroma of freshly baked bread fills the entire house.)
Summary
While 'odore' is a neutral term for any smell, 'profumo' specifically denotes a pleasant scent. 'Odore' can be used for both good and bad smells, whereas 'profumo' is reserved for agreeable fragrances and perfumes.