sulfurous

[ suhl-fyoor-uhs, suhl-fer- ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or containing sulfur, especially in the tetravalent state.
2. of the yellow color of sulfur.
3. sulphurous ( defs 2, 3 ).

sulfurous

/ 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.

Other Words From

• sul·furous·ly adverb
• sul·furous·ness noun
• non·sulfur·ous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sulfurous¹

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

Example Sentences

Visitors often compare the smell of the sulfurous water in the springs to rotten eggs.

From Seattle Times

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

Crackly and sweet, with the sulfurous rattle of scallions just below the surface, the bread makes for superb snacking.

From Washington Post

According to one account, the sulfurous stank emanating from the White House lawn polluted the air for about three-square miles.

From Salon

Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, a sulfurous critic of the news media, has all but shunned one-on-one interviews with mainstream political reporters, speaking almost exclusively in recent months with friendly conservative pundits.

From New York Times