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Definition of odorous

odorous

/ˈoʊ.dɚ.əs/
o · dor · ous
Adverb:odorously
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odorous Lexical Profile

odorous Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Having or emitting a noticeable, often strong or unpleasant smell.

Example

"The sanitation crew wore protective masks while clearing out the odorous refuse from the flooded basement."

2

Having a sweet or pleasant scent; fragrant (chiefly literary or archaic).

Example

"In the ancient poem, the travelers rested beneath a canopy of odorous blossoms and citrus trees."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for odorous
Antonyms
View all antonyms for odorous

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'odorous' with 'odious' (meaning extremely unpleasant or repulsive). Additionally, while 'odorous' originally referred to sweet fragrances in older literature, in modern usage it typically implies a strong or unpleasant smell.

• Rhymes for odorous

• Nearby Words

odor
odored
odorless
odorous
odyssey
oenophilic
oenothera

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French odorous, from Latin odorosus ('having a smell, fragrant'), derived from odor ('a smell, scent').

Cite this Entry

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