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Definition of halitosis

halitosis

/ˌhæl.ɪˈtoʊ.sɪs/
hal · i · to · sis
Adjective:halitotic
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halitosis Lexical Profile

halitosis Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A clinical or chronic condition of having foul-smelling breath.

Example

"The dentist explained that persistent halitosis is often caused by poor oral hygiene or gum disease."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for halitosis

• Rhymes for halitosis

• Nearby Words

halibut
halifax
halimium
halitosis
hall
hallelujah
hallmark

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 19th century as a medical term from Latin 'halitus' (meaning 'breath' or 'vapor') and the Greek suffix '-osis' (denoting a condition), it was widely popularized in the 1920s by Listerine mouthwash advertisements.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Halitosis. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/halitosis
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