odor

noun

ˈō-dər 

1

a

: a quality of something that stimulates the olfactory organ : scent

b

: a sensation resulting from adequate stimulation of the olfactory organ : smell

2

a

: a characteristic or predominant quality : flavor

the odor of sanctity

b

: repute, estimation

in bad odor

3

archaic : something that emits a sweet or pleasing scent : perfume

odored

ˈō-dərd 

adjective

odorless

ˈō-dər-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms

• aura
• smell
• aroma
• atmosphere
• air
• flavor

Choose the Right Synonym for odor

smell, scent, odor, aroma mean the quality that makes a thing perceptible to the olfactory sense.

smell implies solely the sensation without suggestion of quality or character.

an odd smell permeated the room

scent applies to the characteristic smell given off by a substance, an animal, or a plant.

the scent of lilacs

odor may imply a stronger or more readily distinguished scent or it may be equivalent to smell.

a cheese with a strong odor

aroma suggests a somewhat penetrating usually pleasant odor.

the aroma of freshly ground coffee

Examples of odor in a Sentence

The cheese has a strong odor.

This deodorant prevents bad odor from occurring.

Recent Examples on the Web

Indoor composting systems should not produce any unpleasant odors as long as they’re properly managed. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2025

There was a slight odor of jet fuel, MEDIC said, and there were no readings for anything else. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2025

Skunk and cat urine odors are removed by this magic cleaner. —Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025

As its name suggests, skunk cabbage flowers give off a musky odor that attracts carrion-eating flies and gnats. —Skylar Knight, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English odour, borrowed from Anglo-French odur, borrowed from Latin odor (early Latin odōs), going back to *od-os-, s-stem derivative of a verbal base *od- (whence Latin oleō, olēre, also olō, olere "to give off a smell, smell (of)," from *odere), going back to Indo-European *h₃ed-, whence Greek ózein "to smell, give off an odor," Armenian hot "smell, odor" (probably also an s-stem), Lithuanian úodžiu, úosti "to smell, sniff"

Note: The length in the Baltic form is attributed to Winter's Law, which is believed to lengthen vowels before an original voiced, unaspirated stop in Baltic and Slavic in certain environments.

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing odor

• body odor

Rhymes for odor

• coder
• loader
• odour
• decoder
• encoder
• unloader

Kids Definition

odor

noun

ˈōd-ər 

: the quality of something that stimulates the sense of smell : scent

also : a sensation resulting from such stimulation

odorless

-ləs 

adjective

Medical Definition

odor

noun

variants or chiefly British odour

ˈōd-ər 

1

: a quality of something that stimulates the olfactory organ : smell

2

: a sensation resulting from adequate chemical stimulation of the olfactory organ

a disagreeable odor

odored adjective

or chiefly British odoured

odorless adjective

or chiefly British odourless