odor

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   A smell, especially one that is strong or unpleasant.

   Grammar: Can be countable (an odor) or uncountable (the odor of something). Often used with a descriptive adjective.

   Patterns

   • a strong odor
   • the odor of something
   • an odor from something

   A strange odor came from the kitchen.

   The odor of freshly cut grass filled the air.

   Please open a window; there's a bad odor in here.

2. 2nounsingularfigurativeformal

   A quality or atmosphere that seems to surround something and makes people aware of it.

   Grammar: Used in the singular with 'of': an odor of suspicion. This is a figurative use.

   Patterns

   • an odor of something
   • the odor of suspicion

   The scandal left an odor of corruption around the company.

   There was an odor of deceit in his explanation.

Word forms

Common combinations

strong odor

The strong odor of paint made her dizzy.

unpleasant odor

The trash gave off an unpleasant odor.

body odor

Regular washing helps control body odor.

odor of something

The odor of garlic lingered in the room.

notice an odor

Did you notice an odor when you walked in?

Synonyms and how they differ

smell

Smell is the general word for any scent and can be pleasant or unpleasant; odor often suggests something stronger or less pleasant.

scent

Scent is often used for pleasant or faint smells, especially of flowers or perfume; odor is more neutral or negative.

stench

Stench is a very strong, offensive smell; odor is milder and less definite.

aroma

Aroma is usually a pleasant smell, especially of food or drink; odor is rarely used for pleasant smells.

Word family

odorless adjective

Having no smell.

odorous adjective

Having a noticeable smell, often a pleasant one.

Commonly confused: odor or odour? odor or aroma?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “odor”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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