Meaning & use

odor

noun·Everyday

A distinctive smell, especially one that is unpleasant or noticeable from a distance.

See it in a sentence

A strange odor drifted from the kitchen where the milk had spoiled overnight.

The hikers noticed a faint odor of smoke long before they spotted the campfire.

A note on using this word

Odor is neutral in British usage but often leans negative in American English, similar to stench rather than fragrance.

Words with a similar meaning

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