noun Uncommon

odor

OH-duh

Odor (noun) means a smell, whether pleasant or unpleasant. Example: “A strong odor of garlic filled the kitchen.”

noun

A smell, whether pleasant or unpleasant.

"A strong odor of garlic filled the kitchen."

"The gym bag had developed a distinctly unpleasant odor."

How to use odor

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA smell — the word itself is neutral, but it is often used for unpleasant smells.

UK vs US

American spelling; British English usually writes this as "odour".

Common pairings

a strong odor a foul odor body odor

Word forms

odors plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A strong _____ of garlic filled the kitchen.

Etymology

From Latin odor, "smell".

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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smell scent aroma odour olfactory property olfactory sensation olfactory perception

Related words

feeling wind smell tone perfume scent Cologne fragrance

Rhymes for odor

Fyodor

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Frequently asked questions

What does “odor” mean?

The word “odor” means a smell, whether pleasant or unpleasant. In plain terms, a smell — the word itself is neutral, but it is often used for unpleasant smells.

How do you pronounce “odor”?

“Odor” is pronounced OH-duh (/ˈoʊdəɹ/ in IPA).

How do you use “odor” in a sentence?

Here is “odor” used in a sentence: “A strong odor of garlic filled the kitchen.”

What part of speech is “odor”?

“Odor” is a noun.

Where does the word “odor” come from?

The word “odor” comes from Latin. From Latin odor, "smell".

Is “odor” a common word?

“Odor” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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