rotten smell
Decay's nasal signature
A rotten smell is the distinctive odor of organic matter decomposing—spoiled food, decaying flesh, stagnant water.
The phrase is somewhat redundant since rotten itself implies a foul smell, but it emphasizes the sensory experience: There was a rotten smell coming from the basement.
The smell of rot is unmistakable and viscerally repulsive, triggering instinctive avoidance.
- stenchPowerfully offensive odor
- putridDecomposed and foul-smelling
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- fetidHaving foul odor
- foulOffensive or illegal
dead fish · decomposing · maggots · garbage · garbage dump · spoiled · spoiled milk · rank · nauseating · carcass · moldy · sour · compost · gag · sulfur · sewer gas · corpse · festering
- Unpleasant Sensationsloud noises, bitter taste, body odor, sticky hands, wet socks
- smellscent, odor, reek, aroma, sniff
- food aversionsfood poisoning, disgust, spoiled food, avoidance, repulsion
- smell disordersanosmia, nose blindness
rotten smellperfume
Fragrant liquid for wearing
fragrance · sweet smell · floral scent · bouquet · rose scent
rotten, smell, rotted, rotting, rottenness, smells, smelled, smelling, smelly