malodour
/mæ'loudə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- An unpleasant and distinctive smell: "malodour" refers to a strong, offensive, and often distinctive odor that is considered foul or disgusting.
Usage
- "Malodour" is a formal or technical term, often used in scientific, medical, or official contexts to describe a bad smell. It is less common in everyday conversation, where words like "stink" or "bad smell" are more frequent.
- It is typically used as a singular, countable noun.
Examples
- Noun:
- The malodour from the blocked drain filled the entire basement.
- A persistent malodour can be a symptom of a medical condition.
- The laboratory report noted the chemical's characteristic malodour.
Advanced Usage
- "To emit a malodour": to give off a foul smell.
- The decaying organic matter began to emit a powerful malodour.
- "Source of malodour": the origin or cause of a bad smell.
- Identifying the source of the malodour in the building was a priority.
Variants and Related Words
- Malodorous (adj): having a bad smell; foul-smelling.
- The malodorous garbage needed to be removed immediately.
- Odour (n): a smell, which can be pleasant, neutral, or unpleasant. "Malodour" is a specific type of unpleasant odour.
Synonyms
- Stench: a very strong and unpleasant smell.
- Stink: a strong, unpleasant smell (more informal).
- Fetor: a strong, foul smell (formal, often medical).
- Reek: a strong, unpleasant smell (can be used as a noun or verb).
Antonyms
- Fragrance: a sweet or pleasant smell.
- Aroma: a pleasant, often distinctive smell.
- Perfume: a sweet or pleasant smell, especially from a substance like flowers.
Notes
- The word is spelled "malodour" in British English. The American English spelling is "malodor". Both have the same meaning and pronunciation.
Noun
- a distinctive odor that is offensively unpleasant