odoriferous

Emitting a smell

Odoriferous means giving off an odor, typically a strong or unpleasant one.

The word is formal or literary, often used with deliberate irony: The odoriferous dumpster behind the restaurant.

Though technically neutral—something odoriferous could smell good or bad—in practice the word usually signals stink rather than fragrance.

fragrant

perfumed

Treated with fragrance

scentedHaving added fragrance
aromaticPleasantly strong-smelling
floralOf or like blooms

sweet-smelling · bouquet · jasmine · rose · lavender · gardenia · honeysuckle · lilac · freesia · peony

fetid

foul

Offensive or illegal

stenchPowerfully offensive odor
reekEmit strong odor
putridDecomposed and foul-smelling

rank · noisome · rotten · decaying · rancid · offensive · sour · miasma · stinking · noxious

pungent

acrid

Unpleasantly sharp-smelling

sharpFine-edged, or astute
stingingCausing sharp pain
penetratingPassing into or through

overpowering · intense · strong · biting · harsh · tangy · caustic · sulfurous · ammonia · vinegary

spiced

cinnamon

Aromatic bark spice

vanillaOrchid pod extract
clovesDried flower-bud spice
cardamomAromatic seed pod spice

anise · ginger · nutmeg · peppermint · eucalyptus · rosemary · lemongrass · bergamot · herbal · cumin

musty

fusty

Stale from disuse

moldyCovered in fungal growth
dankDisagreeably cold and wet
mildewedAffected by fungal growth

stale · airless · damp · earthy · cellar · attic · mothballs · dusty · stuffy · frowsty

Opposites

presence of smell

odoriferousodorless

Having no smell

scentless · inodorous · unscented · smell-free · deodorized

quality of smell

odoriferousfragrant

Emitting pleasant smell

sweet-smelling · foul-smelling · malodorous · fetid · stinking

Family

odor, deodorant, odorous, odorless, deodorize, malodorous, odour, malodor, odorize

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G