odorous

adjective

odor·​ous ˈō-də-rəs 

: having an odor: such as

a

: fragrant

b

: malodorous

odorously adverb

odorousness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for odorous

odorous, fragrant, redolent, aromatic mean emitting and diffusing scent.

odorous applies to whatever has a strong distinctive smell whether pleasant or unpleasant.

odorous cheeses should be tightly wrapped

fragrant applies to things (such as flowers or spices) with sweet or agreeable odors.

a fragrant rose

redolent applies usually to a place or thing impregnated with odors.

the kitchen was redolent of garlic and tomatoes

aromatic applies to things emitting pungent often fresh odors.

an aromatic blend of tobaccos

Examples of odorous in a Sentence

Odorous cheeses need to be tightly wrapped.

Recent Examples on the Web

The First Plague in the Book of Exodus (from The Bible) talks about the sea turning red, of fish dying, of people being unable to drink from the odorous waters. —Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

So far, limestone odorous frogs have only been found in two sites in neighboring counties of Guangdong Province, a region of southern China. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 7 May 2025

Or a baby changing station may need a diaper genie added to take care of odorous diapers. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025

From odorous workout clothes to terribly dingy towels and everything in between, Gain Rinse and Renew breaks down the residue that causes odors deep within fabrics and removes it at the source. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for odorous

• inodorous
• malodorous

Kids Definition

odorous

adjective

odor·​ous ˈōd-ə-rəs 

: having or giving off an odor

Medical Definition

odorous

adjective

odor·​ous ˈōd-ə-rəs 

: having an odor: as

a

: having a sweet or pleasant odor

b

: having a bad odor