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Definition of odor

odor

/ˈoʊ.dɚ/
(UK: odour)
o · dor
Adverb:odorously
•
Plural:odors
•
Adjective:odorous
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odor Lexical Profile

odor Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

American A distinctive smell, especially one that is unpleasant or offensive.

Example

"Opening the refrigerator after the weekend power outage released a pungent odor that quickly filled the kitchen."

2

American A lingering quality, impression, or reputation attached to a person, action, or situation.

Example

"Following the financial scandal, a persistent odor of corruption surrounded the entire administration."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for odor

Word Nuance & Usage

Although scientifically neutral for any detectable smell, in everyday usage "odor" usually carries an unpleasant connotation, contrasting with "aroma" or "fragrance". Spelled "odour" in British and Commonwealth English.

• Rhymes for odor

• Nearby Words

odessa barb
odometer
odontoglossum
odor
odored
odorless
odorous

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed into Middle English around 1300 via Anglo-French odor and Old French odour, directly from Latin odor ("a smell, scent, or fragrance"), which traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *hed- ("to smell"), shared with the Greek verb ozein and the chemical element ozone.

Cite this Entry

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