rancid

[ ran-sid ]

adjective

1. having a rank, unpleasant, stale smell or taste, as through decomposition, especially of fats or oils:

   rancid butter.

2. (of an odor or taste) rank, unpleasant, and stale:

   a rancid smell.

3. offensive or nasty; disagreeable.

rancid

/ ˈrænsɪd; rænˈsɪdɪtɪ /

adjective

1. (of butter, bacon, etc) having an unpleasant stale taste or smell as the result of decomposition
2. (of a taste or smell) rank or sour; stale

Derived Forms

• rancidity, noun

Other Words From

• rancid·ly adverb
• rancid·ness ran·cidi·ty noun
• un·rancid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rancid¹

1640–50; < Latin rancidus rank, stinking, equivalent to ranc ( ēre ) to be rotten + -idus -id ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of rancid¹

C17: from Latin rancidus rank, from rancēre to stink

Example Sentences

A pungent, fishy rancid odor has been wafting through the coastal air in Los Angeles this week, an unfortunate consequence of beautiful bioluminescent algae that has graced local beaches for a fortnight.

From Los Angeles Times

Perhaps Robinson's big mistake is refusing to own his rancid commentary.

From Salon

The following month, one inspector said they found “ample amounts of blood in puddles on the floor” and a “rancid smell” throughout a cooler used at the plant.

From Salon

The partisan ‘stench’ enveloping the Supreme Court is getting more rancid, just in time for its biggest decisions of the year.

From Los Angeles Times

The partisan ‘stench’ enveloping the Supreme Court is getting more rancid, just in time for its biggest decisions of the year.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• contaminated
• disagreeable
• fetid
• moldy
• musty
• polluted
• putrid
• smelly
• soured
• stale
• tainted