adj
rancid
RAN-sihd
Rancid (adj) means having a stale, unpleasant smell or taste, typically from fat or oil that has gone off. Example: “The butter had gone rancid after sitting out too long.”
adj
1
Having a stale, unpleasant smell or taste, typically from fat or oil that has gone off.
"The butter had gone rancid after sitting out too long."
"A rancid smell drifted from the old fridge."
How to use rancid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes food, especially fats and oils, that has spoiled and smells or tastes off.
Common pairings
rancid butter
rancid oil
go rancid
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like rancid.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more rancid
- Superlative
- most rancid
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The butter had gone _____ after sitting out too long.
Etymology
From Latin rancidus, "stinking" or "rank."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “rancid” mean?
The word “rancid” means having a stale, unpleasant smell or taste, typically from fat or oil that has gone off. In plain terms, describes food, especially fats and oils, that has spoiled and smells or tastes off.
How do you pronounce “rancid”?
“Rancid” is pronounced RAN-sihd (/ˈɹænsɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “rancid” in a sentence?
Here is “rancid” used in a sentence: “The butter had gone rancid after sitting out too long.”
What part of speech is “rancid”?
“Rancid” is an adjective.
Where does the word “rancid” come from?
The word “rancid” comes from Latin. From Latin rancidus, "stinking" or "rank.".
