halitosis

noun

hal·​i·​to·​sis ˌha-lə-ˈtō-səs How to pronounce halitosis (audio)
: a condition of having fetid breath

Examples of halitosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Then there was the fella in Westchester, who had serious halitosis, who leaned in for a kiss after dinner. Lara Sterling, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2023 Heartburn Most halitosis cases are caused by the bacteria in a person's mouth. Maria Masters, Health, 21 Aug. 2023 Health Conditions Sometimes halitosis can be a symptom of a health condition like heartburn, high blood pressure, or Sjogren's syndrome. Maria Masters, Health, 21 Aug. 2023 However, not flossing or brushing your teeth regularly can result in problems like cavities and gum disease associated with halitosis. Maria Masters, Health, 21 Aug. 2023 Key Takeaways Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be embarrassing and hard to get rid of. Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 25 May 2023 So, what’s the solution to occasional halitosis? Cristina Montemayor, Men's Health, 15 Aug. 2022 There can be more than one reason for halitosis. Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 12 Feb. 2022 Thus, he became known as a super-callused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis! Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'halitosis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin halitus breath, from halare to breathe — more at exhale

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of halitosis was in 1874

Dictionary Entries Near halitosis

Cite this Entry

“Halitosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/halitosis. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

halitosis

noun
hal·​i·​to·​sis ˌhal-ə-ˈtō-səs How to pronounce halitosis (audio)
plural halitoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce halitosis (audio)
: a condition of having fetid breath
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