WordGarden.ioodorous
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈəʊdərəs/
US
- /ˈoʊdərəs/
Meanings
Adjective
having a distinct smell, often an unpleasant one
Beyond the definition
If something is odorous, it has a noticeable smell. That smell could be lovely, like fresh bread, or unpleasant, like an old gym sock. The word itself does not say the smell is good or bad; it simply points out that the smell is there. You might use it for flowers, spices, smoke, or even garbage. It is all about having a clear scent.
The word "odorous" simply means having a distinct smell—it doesn't inherently imply whether that smell is good or bad. While we often associate strong smells with unpleasantness, "odorous" is technically neutral; it just describes the presence of an aroma. It comes from the Latin word odor, meaning scent.
You might describe a field of lavender as "sweetly odorous," highlighting its pleasant fragrance. But you could equally say a landfill is "strongly odorous," acknowledging its less appealing smell. Historically, "odorous" was often used in literature to describe rich, pleasant perfumes, though in modern technical contexts, it is sometimes used to describe strong or even pungent scents.
Today, the word is fairly formal and not very common in everyday conversation. It can describe something pleasant or unpleasant, but in modern use it often appears in careful, descriptive, or technical writing. You might read about odorous chemicals, odorous flowers, or an odorous room. So, if you want a word for something with a noticeable scent—whether it is perfume, garlic, smoke, or trash—"odorous" does the job.
Examples
- 1
Spoiled food
The fridge was odorous after the fish sat in it overnight.
- 2
Safety writing
Workers must report any odorous gas near the equipment immediately.
- Usage
odorous gas/chemical is common in safety and technical writing
- 3
Market smells
The market was crowded with odorous herbs, garlic, and ripe fruit.
- 4
Outdoor air
The evening air was odorous with pine smoke from the cabins.
- Patternodorous with + smell/source
filled with that smell
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- odorousadjective