putrid

adjective

pu·​trid ˈpyü-trəd 

1

a

: being in a state of putrefaction : rotten

b

: of, relating to, or characteristic of putrefaction : foul

a putrid odor

2

a

: morally corrupt

b

: totally objectionable

putridity

pyü-ˈtri-də-tē 

noun

putridly

ˈpyü-trəd-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of putrid

• rotten

Choose the Right Synonym for putrid

malodorous, stinking, fetid, noisome, putrid, rank, fusty, musty mean bad-smelling.

malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.

malodorous fertilizers

stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.

prisoners were held in stinking cells

the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive.

a stagnant, noisome sewer

putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter.

the putrid smell of rotting fish

rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell.

rank cigar smoke

fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age.

a fusty attic

the musty odor of a damp cellar

Examples of putrid in a Sentence

a putrid shade of green

the putrid remains of a dead raccoon on the side of the highway

Recent Examples on the Web

The choice of chartreuse — a borderline putrid shade of it, no less — walked an appropriate tightrope between glamorous and grotesque. — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Since then, the results have fluctuated between middling and downright putrid, and entering this year, Aranda was said to be on his last leg. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

In the weeks after, more than 85 million pounds of rotting food being kept at the cold storage facility began to rot, leaving a putrid stench lingering over the area that led to infestations of rats, flies and other rodents. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Crosby’s performance is no indictment on the Raiders offensive line, a group looking to improve on a putrid display a year ago. — Sam Warren, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin putridus, from putrēre to be rotten, from puter, putris rotten; akin to Latin putēre to stink — more at foul entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

putrid

adjective

pu·​trid ˈpyü-trəd 

1

a

: being in a state of putrefaction : rotten

putrid meat

b

: characteristic of putrefaction : foul

a putrid odor

2

: morally objectionable

Medical Definition

putrid

adjective

pu·​trid ˈpyü-trəd 

1

: being in a state of putrefaction

2

: of, relating to, or characteristic of putrefaction

a putrid odor