malodor

[ mal-oh-der ]

noun

1. an unpleasant or offensive odor; stench.

Word History and Origins

Origin of malodor¹

First recorded in 1815–25; mal- + odor

Example Sentences

Mr. Trump’s final official acts added to the malodor, as he granted clemency to a raft of corrupt cronies, former officials and white-collar criminals.

From Washington Post

He said that type of ethanol costs significantly less than ethanol filtered using activated carbon filtration, which would typically remove almost all contaminants and the malodor with it.”

From Fox News

“Nonenal would be a perfect candidate for this malodor masking technology,” Dr. Warren says.

From New York Times

The problem is that no one quite knows what contempt means, other than the obvious malodor of disrepute.

From Salon

Staff members were seen handling soiled laundry without wearing gloves, the inspectors added in the government report, and cushions and other material were “heavily contaminated, and had a strong malodor.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• smell
• stink