rancid

adjective

ran·cid | \ˈran(t)-səd

Definition of rancid

1 : having an unpleasant smell or taste usually from chemical change or decomposition rancid butter rancid breath

2 : distinctly unpleasant or distasteful : offensive a rancid sexual scandal Without free speech, even in its most rancid forms, we may have nothing to choose at night but old movies and "Heeeeeeeere's Johnny!"— Richard Corliss

Other Words from rancid Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about rancid

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

Rancid has a fairly straightforward history; it derives from Latin rancidus, itself from the Latin verb rancēre, meaning "to be rancid" or "to stink." In addition to the related words rancidness and rancidity, another descendant of rancēre in English is rancor, meaning "bitter deep-seated ill will." (Rancor passed through Middle French rather than being borrowed into English directly.) These days, rancid also has developed a second, extended sense which is used in the context of offenses to less literal or physical senses than those of smell or taste, and you might see references to "rancid behavior" or "a rancid personality."

Examples of rancid in a Sentence

Some foods become rancid quickly. an unscrupulous food vendor who's as rancid as the meat that he serves

Recent Examples on the Web

Durian are just about synonymous with their repulsive odor, which (to be fair) has whiffs of sweetness that are immediately overwhelmed by notes of corrosion and rancid egg. — Amy B Wang, Washington Post, "Fears of a gas leak forced an evacuation at a Melbourne university. It was a durian.," 29 Apr. 2018 Though the brand makes some of the most heralded beers in the industry, drinkers quickly began complaining of sour and rancid off flavors. — Josh Noel, chicagotribune.com, "Goose Island wins lawsuit over infected Bourbon County," 14 June 2018 Durian are just about synonymous with their repulsive odor, which (to be fair) has whiffs of sweetness that are immediately overwhelmed by notes of corrosion and rancid egg. — Amy B Wang, Washington Post, "Fears of a gas leak forced an evacuation at a Melbourne university. It was a durian.," 29 Apr. 2018 Durian are just about synonymous with their repulsive odor, which (to be fair) has whiffs of sweetness that are immediately overwhelmed by notes of corrosion and rancid egg. — Amy B Wang, Washington Post, "Fears of a gas leak forced an evacuation at a Melbourne university. It was a durian.," 29 Apr. 2018 Outside an Italian restaurant, the gag-inducing stench of rancid food filled the air while volunteers ferried heavy kitchen equipment to the curb. — Christina Tkacik, baltimoresun.com, "Ellicott City begins the great 'muck out' — again," 3 June 2018 Durian are just about synonymous with their repulsive odor, which (to be fair) has whiffs of sweetness that are immediately overwhelmed by notes of corrosion and rancid egg. — Melinda Morris, NOLA.com, "Who boils the best crawfish in metro New Orleans? It's the last day to vote," 30 Apr. 2018 Nineteen-year-old rookie Tony Conigliaro hit 24 home runs for the rancid Red Sox in 1964, but never played in a postseason game. — Dan Shaughnessy, BostonGlobe.com, "The greatest collection of 21-and-under talents are powering our Boston sports teams," 29 Apr. 2018 The poison cherry on top of this rancid sundae, though, is the massive 5-foot-tall, hideously evil-in-a-good-way, clown head that acts as the 18th hole. — Gunnar Johnson, southflorida.com, "8 South Florida mini-golf courses worth taking a swing at," 18 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rancid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.