odor

noun

ˈō-dər How to pronounce odor (audio)
Synonyms of odornext
1
a
: a quality of something that stimulates the olfactory organ : scent
b
: a sensation resulting from adequate stimulation of the olfactory organ : smell
2
a
: a characteristic or predominant quality : flavor
the odor of sanctity
b
: repute, estimation
in bad odor
3
archaic : something that emits a sweet or pleasing scent : perfume
odored
ˈō-dərd How to pronounce odor (audio)
adjective
odorless
ˈō-dər-ləs How to pronounce odor (audio)
adjective

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for odor

smell, scent, odor, aroma mean the quality that makes a thing perceptible to the olfactory sense.

smell implies solely the sensation without suggestion of quality or character.

an odd smell permeated the room

scent applies to the characteristic smell given off by a substance, an animal, or a plant.

the scent of lilacs

odor may imply a stronger or more readily distinguished scent or it may be equivalent to smell.

a cheese with a strong odor

aroma suggests a somewhat penetrating usually pleasant odor.

the aroma of freshly ground coffee

Examples of odor in a Sentence

The cheese has a strong odor. This deodorant prevents bad odor from occurring.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This includes odors in the fridge that might otherwise seep into your leftovers, as well as direct heat that could over-brown a crumb topping or pie crust in the oven. —Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2024 Because each odor generates a distinct response pattern, analyzing how the electrical signal evolves over time enables the identification of specific odors. —IEEE Spectrum, 20 Nov. 2024 Designate a specific smoking area to contain odors. —Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024 Minus a strong odor of alcohol, Santacrose says his car was intact and decided not to press charges. —Brenda Ordonez, The Enquirer, 14 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for odor 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English odour, borrowed from Anglo-French odur, borrowed from Latin odor (early Latin odōs), going back to *od-os-, s-stem derivative of a verbal base *od- (whence Latin oleō, olēre, also olō, olere "to give off a smell, smell (of)," from *odere), going back to Indo-European *h3ed-, whence Greek ózein "to smell, give off an odor," Armenian hot "smell, odor" (probably also an s-stem), Lithuanian úodžiu, úosti "to smell, sniff"

Note: The length in the Baltic form is attributed to Winter's Law, which is believed to lengthen vowels before an original voiced, unaspirated stop in Baltic and Slavic in certain environments.

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of odor was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing odor

Dictionary Entries Near odor

-odonty

odor

odorant

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Odor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/odor. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

odor

noun
ˈōd-ər How to pronounce odor (audio)
: the quality of something that stimulates the sense of smell : scent
also : a sensation resulting from such stimulation
odorless
-ləs How to pronounce odor (audio)
adjective

Medical Definition

odor

noun
variants or chiefly British odour
ˈōd-ər How to pronounce odor (audio)
1
: a quality of something that stimulates the olfactory organ : smell
2
: a sensation resulting from adequate chemical stimulation of the olfactory organ
a disagreeable odor
odored adjective
or chiefly British odoured
odorless adjective
or chiefly British odourless

More from Merriam-Webster on odor

Nglish: Translation of odor for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of odor for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about odor

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