Practice Odorous with Flashcards, Spelling and Quizzes

Study with flashcards, practice spelling, or choose a quiz to check your understanding:

Middle School 9

Choose an activity:

SAT 7 (Scholastic Assessment Test)

Choose an activity:

Sensory and Perception

Choose an activity:

Definition of odorous

Emitting or possessing a distinctive and often unpleasant smell or odor.
"The locker room was notorious for its odorous stench after a long day of intense workouts."

Detailed Meaning of Odorous

When used to describe a substance, object, or environment, it indicates that there is a noticeable scent present, which can range from mildly pungent to overwhelmingly foul. The term "odorous" emphasizes the sensory experience associated with smell, highlighting the distinct and discernible nature of the odor. Whether it's a foul odor emanating from a garbage bin or the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, the term "odorous" captures the olfactory aspect and draws attention to the notable scent characteristics of the subject being described.

Example Sentences for Odorous

1. The dumpster behind the restaurant was extremely odorous.
2. The flowers in the garden were surprisingly odorous at night.
3. A pile of dirty laundry can become quite odorous over time.
4. The kitchen was filled with the odorous aroma of garlic and onions.
5. An odorous stench wafted from the stagnant pond.
6. The gym locker room was notorious for its odorous socks.

Origin and Etymology of Odorous

The adjective 'odorous' has its etymological roots in the Latin word 'odor,' which simply means 'smell' or 'odor.' In Latin, 'odor' represented the sense of smell or any scent, whether pleasant or unpleasant. When it comes to 'odorous,' the suffix '-ous' is added to 'odor' to denote possession or being characterized by a particular quality, in this case, having a smell. Therefore, the etymology of 'odorous' conveys the idea of something emitting or possessing a distinctive and often unpleasant smell or odor. This term encapsulates the concept of having a specific scent, whether it be fragrant or foul, as rooted in its Latin origins in the notion of smell or odor.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the adjective odorous:

fragrant

smelly

odorless

scentless

Try Again!

Correct!

Continue Quiz

More Usage Examples of Odorous

1. The public restroom had an unpleasant, odorous odor.
2. The compost heap in the backyard was teeming with odorous decay.
3. An odorous trail of breadcrumbs led the ants to their nest.
4. The skunk sprayed, leaving an intensely odorous cloud behind.
5. The garbage disposal emitted an odorous funk when it malfunctioned.
6. The old library books had an unmistakably odorous mustiness.
7. The seafood market was known for its odorous fish section.
8. An odorous gas leak prompted an evacuation of the building.
9. The damp basement had an unpleasant and odorous mildew smell.
10. An odorous smoke rose from the burning pile of leaves.
11. The public restroom had an odorous, overused air freshener.
12. The cheese shop was filled with various odorous delights.
13. An odorous trail of crumbs attracted a line of hungry ants.
14. The stagnant pond emitted an especially odorous stench in summer.
15. The kitchen was filled with the odorous scent of freshly brewed coffee.
16. As I entered the room, a pungent and odorous stench assaulted my senses.
17. The garbage can emitted an unpleasant and odorous smell that lingered in the air.
18. The flowers in the garden released a sweet and odorous fragrance that perfumed the entire yard.
19. I recoiled from the odorous aroma of the rotting fruit.
20. The laboratory was filled with various odorous chemicals, creating a distinct and overpowering smell.
21. A damp and musty basement can often be accompanied by an odorous odor.
22. The seafood market was permeated with an intense and odorous fishy smell.
23. The skunk sprayed its odorous musk, leaving a lingering scent in the air.
24. The old, moldy books emitted an odorous mustiness when opened.
25. The compost pile emitted an earthy and odorous aroma, indicating the decomposition process.
26. The cheese shop had an enticing display of odorous cheeses from around the world.
27. The sewage leak created an odorous mess that required immediate attention.
28. The laundry room had a distinctive odorous smell of detergent and fabric softener.