odorous
Having a scent
Odorous means having a noticeable smell, whether pleasant or unpleasant.
The word is neutral about the quality of the smell—an odorous flower could be fragrant, an odorous dumpster foul.
In practice, context usually makes clear which is meant: The odorous cheese cleared the room.
Compare odoriferous, which tends toward the unpleasant.
Powerfully offensive odor
- reekEmit strong odor
- fetidHaving foul odor
- putridDecomposed and foul-smelling
- rankPosition in hierarchy
foul · rotten · rancid · musty · moldy · noisome · noxious · spoiled
Emitting pleasant smell
- aromaticPleasantly strong-smelling
- perfumedTreated with fragrance
- sweet-smellingHaving agreeable odor
- scentedHaving added fragrance
bouquet · floral · jasmine · rose · lavender · vanilla · sandalwood · lilac
Fine-edged, or astute
- acridUnpleasantly sharp-smelling
- tangySharp and lively-tasting
- pepperyHaving sharp, hot flavor
- bitingHarshly critical or cold
penetrating · strong · intense · piercing · harsh · ammonia · sulfurous · vinegary
Airborne odor detected
- smellOlfactory perception
- whiffBrief, faint smell
- aromaPleasant distinctive smell
- noseOlfactory facial organ
olfactory · detectable · noticeable · perceptible · wafting · lingering · faint · subtle
stench
Powerfully offensive odor
rank · foul · rotten · rancid · musty · moldy · noisome · noxious · spoiled · decaying
fragrant
Emitting pleasant smell
- aromaticPleasantly strong-smelling
- perfumedTreated with fragrance
- sweet-smellingHaving agreeable odor
scented · bouquet · floral · jasmine · rose · lavender · vanilla · sandalwood · lilac · gardenia
sharp
Fine-edged, or astute
biting · penetrating · strong · intense · piercing · harsh · ammonia · sulfurous · vinegary · garlicky
scent
Airborne odor detected
nose · olfactory · detectable · noticeable · perceptible · wafting · lingering · faint · subtle · distinct