malodorous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "malodorous" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adjective meaning having a bad or unpleasant smell. For example, "The malodorous smell coming from the trash caused me to gag."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Peter the hermit was not a hermit at all," he writes, "but a malodorous monk from Amiens".

The Economist

A researcher at the University of Wisconsin has worked out a way to put this malodorous stuff to use in solving a sticky old problem.

The Economist

Let the red-inked and malodorous history of the banks formerly run by Brazil's constituent states be a warning.

The Economist

They free people to work from home instead of squeezing onto a train with malodorous strangers.

The Economist

They are an impressive sight: a blotch of malodorous life in the desert.

The Economist

DETAINING the next president of the United States for three hours in what an eyewitness called a "malodorous" small room at an airport in the provincial Russian city of Perm looks, in retrospect, to have been a pretty bad idea.

The Economist

On November 19th the special prosecutor, Kenneth Starr, admitted to the House Judiciary Committee that his inquiry had come up dry on Whitewater, Filegate, Travelgate, and all the other vaguely malodorous dealings that seemed to suggest a "pattern and practice" of criminal behaviour by the president.

The Economist

Even in the years after World War II, Tokyo was a most malodorous city.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mary Roach's Gulp (2013) provided an entertaining foray into the digestive tract, replete with details about singer Elvis Presley's constipation and the "malodorous" tongue of "extreme chewing" advocate Horace Fletcher.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Li and Zhao hastened to return to the capital with the dead emperor, concealing the malodorous corpse in a wagon load of salt fish attached to the rear of the imperial carriage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Butter becomes rancid by the foregoing process and by hydrolysis, which liberates volatile and malodorous acids, particularly butyric acid.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "malodorous", consider the context. It is often more impactful when describing something unexpected or out of place, such as "malodorous flowers".

Common error

Avoid using "malodorous" in overly simplistic descriptions where a simpler word like "smelly" would suffice. "Malodorous" carries a more sophisticated and often negative connotation, so reserve it for situations where the odor is particularly offensive or complex.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "malodorous" primarily functions as a descriptor, modifying nouns to indicate they possess an unpleasant or offensive smell. Ludwig shows this through examples like "malodorous garbage bags" and "malodorous corpse".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

19%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "malodorous" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective that describes something having a bad odor. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's safe to use in written English. It appears most commonly in News & Media and Encyclopedias, suggesting a formal register. While it effectively conveys the presence of an unpleasant smell, consider the context to avoid overuse in simple descriptions. Alternatives like "foul-smelling" or "stinky" might be more appropriate in less formal situations. Remember, "malodorous" is most impactful when the offensive smell is unexpected or particularly strong.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foul-smelling

A direct synonym emphasizing the unpleasant nature of the odor.

bad-smelling

A simple and straightforward alternative.

offensive-smelling

A more descriptive way to express that the smell is unpleasant and causes offense.

stinky

A more informal and blunt term for a bad smell.

fetid

Implies a decaying and offensive odor.

pungent

Refers to a strong and sharp smell, often unpleasant.

rank

Suggests a strong, unpleasant smell, often associated with decay or staleness.

noxious

Highlights the harmful or poisonous quality of the smell.

reeking

Emphasizes the pervasive and intense nature of the bad smell.

unpleasantly scented

A milder, more polite way to describe a bad smell.

FAQs

How do I use "malodorous" in a sentence?

Use "malodorous" to describe something that has a bad or unpleasant smell. For example, "The "malodorous garbage" filled the alleyway".

What can I say instead of "malodorous"?

You can use alternatives like "foul-smelling", "stinky", or "fetid", depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "malodorous" a formal word?

Yes, "malodorous" is considered a more formal and sophisticated word compared to simpler alternatives like "smelly" or "stinky".

What is the difference between "malodorous" and "fragrant"?

"Malodorous" describes something with a bad smell, while "fragrant" describes something with a pleasant or sweet smell. They are antonyms.