Definition

1. Adjective: Having a very unpleasant or offensive smell.

Usage

• This adjective is used to describe something that emits a strong, disagreeable odor.
• It typically precedes the noun it modifies.
• It is a compound adjective formed from "foul" (offensive) and "smelling" (giving off an odor).

Examples

• The garbage can was foul-smelling after a week in the heat.
• They discovered a foul-smelling substance leaking from the old pipe.
• A foul-smelling cloud of smoke filled the room.

Advanced Usage

• "to be foul-smelling": This is the standard predicative use.
  • The stagnant water in the pond was foul-smelling.
• It can be used in comparative and superlative forms by adding "more" and "most."
  • This cheese is even more foul-smelling than the last one.
  • It was the most foul-smelling place I had ever been.

Variants and Related Words

• Malodorous (adj): A more formal synonym for having a bad smell.
• Fetid (adj): (Formal) Smelling extremely unpleasant.
• Putrid (adj): Smelling of decay or rot.
• Rank (adj): Having a strong, unpleasant smell.
• Funky (adj): (Informal) Having a strong, unpleasant smell, especially of sweat or bodily odor.

Synonyms

• Stinking
• Reeking
• Noisome
• Stinky (informal)

Antonyms

• Fragrant
• Aromatic
• Sweet-smelling
• Perfumed

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To smell foul/to smell to high heaven: To have a very bad smell.
  • Something in the fridge smells to high heaven.
• A foul odor/stench: A common collocation meaning a very bad smell.
  • A foul odor emanated from the drain.

Adjective

1. offensively malodorous
   • a foul odor
   • the kitchen smelled really funky