malodorous
/mæ'loudərəs/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Having an unpleasant smell: Describes something that emits a bad, offensive, or foul odor.
Usage
- The word "malodorous" is a formal adjective used to describe a strong, unpleasant smell. It is more academic or literary than common synonyms like "stinky" or "smelly."
- It typically precedes a noun (e.g., a malodorous substance) or follows a linking verb like "be" or "become" (e.g., The room became malodorous).
Examples
- The detectives entered the malodorous alley, searching for clues.
- After weeks in the damp basement, the old carpets had become quite malodorous.
- The chemical spill created a malodorous cloud that drifted over the neighborhood.
Advanced Usage
- Scientific/Technical Context: Often used in scientific, medical, or formal reports to describe odors precisely without being colloquial.
- The researchers noted the malodorous compounds released during decomposition.
- Figurative/Literary Use: Can be used metaphorically to describe something morally corrupt or offensive.
- The scandal left a malodorous stain on the politician's reputation.
Variants and Related Words
- Malodor (noun): An unpleasant smell.
- The malodor from the factory was a constant complaint from residents.
- Malodorousness (noun): The state or quality of having a bad smell.
- The malodorousness of the refuse was overwhelming.
Synonyms
- Fetid: Smelling extremely unpleasant.
- Putrid: Decaying and smelling very bad.
- Rank: Having a strong, unpleasant smell.
- Rancid: Smelling or tasting unpleasant due to staleness or decomposition (often of fats/oils).
- Stinking: Emitting a strong, unpleasant smell (more informal).
Antonyms
- Fragrant: Having a pleasant, sweet smell.
- Aromatic: Having a strong, pleasant smell.
- Sweet-smelling: Having a pleasant odor.
Idioms and Phrases
- While "malodorous" itself is not commonly used in idioms, it fits within the semantic field of phrases about bad smells.
- To smell to high heaven: To smell very bad.
- That garbage is starting to smell to high heaven. (This is a more idiomatic way to express a similar idea as "malodorous.")
Adjective
-
having an unpleasant smell
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