sulfurous

American  

[suhl-fyoor-uhs, suhl-fer-] / sʌlˈfyʊər əs, ˈsʌl fər- /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or containing sulfur, especially in the tetravalent state.

2. of the yellow color of sulfur.

3. sulphurous.

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sulfurous Scientific  

/ sŭl′fər-əs,sŭl-fyr′əs /

1. Containing sulfur, especially sulfur with a valence of 4 or 3.

2. Compare sulfuric

3. Characteristic of or emanating from burning sulfur.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsulfurous adjective
• sulfurously adverb
• sulfurousness noun

Etymology

Origin of sulfurous

From the Latin word sulfurōsus, dating back to 1520–30. See sulfur, -ous

Example Sentences

That heavy, sulfurous blend usually fetches a sharp discount to U.S. benchmark prices, but it’s also suddenly more in demand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

There’s plenty of tit-for-tat going around in today’s sulfurous climate.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2025

Sulfuric acid forms in the atmosphere from various sulfurous substances.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2024

Thousands of residents were forced to move out of their homes to escape a sulfurous stench and maladies including headaches, nausea and nose bleeds.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 30, 2023

A hot sulfurous wind blasted my face as the monster flew over.

From "The Battle of the Labyrinth" by Rick Riordan