malodorous

The word malodorous describes something that gives off a very unpleasant smell. It is stronger and more formal than simply saying "bad-smelling" or "smelly." If you walk past a pile of rotting garbage, open a fridge full of spoiled food, or step into a damp room with a strong moldy smell, malodorous would fit the scene well.

The word is usually used for places, objects, substances, or even the air itself when the smell stands out right away. A trash bin in summer can be malodorous. A polluted canal can be malodorous. An old basement can be malodorous because of mold and stale air. The idea is not just that there is some smell, but that the smell is clearly unpleasant.

It often has a formal or literary tone, so in everyday speech people are more likely to say "smelly" or "stinky." In writing, though, malodorous helps paint a sharper picture. You might read about a malodorous alley, a malodorous laboratory, or a malodorous heap of seaweed left on the beach.

So if a smell is unpleasant enough to make people notice it and want to move away, malodorous is a strong and useful choice. It points to a bad smell that is obvious, lingering, and unpleasant to be around.