noisome

[ noi-suhm ]

adjective

1. offensive or disgusting, as an odor.

   Synonyms: mephitic, stinking, rotten, putrid, fetid

2. harmful or injurious to health; noxious.

noisome

/ ˈnɔɪsəm /

adjective

1. (esp of smells) offensive
2. harmful or noxious

Derived Forms

• ˈnoisomeness, noun
• ˈnoisomely, adverb

Other Words From

• noisome·ly adverb
• noisome·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of noisome¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English noy (aphetic variant of annoy ) + -some ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of noisome¹

C14: from obsolete noy, variant of annoy + -some ¹

Example Sentences

It filled my head, that muttering sound, like thick oily smoke from a fat-rendering vat or an odour of noisome decay.

From The Daily Beast

Her tomb is in a small chapel, dark, damp, and even noisome: it is indicated only by a flat unadorned stone.

From Project Gutenberg

I felt assured he would not live long, unless removed from that noisome place.

From Project Gutenberg

She had entered into noisome places, but so had the marsh-hawk poising grandly on motionless wing there above.

From Project Gutenberg

The fragrant white pond lily springs from the same black mud out of which the yellow lily sucks its obscene life and noisome odor.

From Project Gutenberg

But it was the choice and the pleasure of Milton to penetrate the noisome vapors, and to brave the terrible explosion.

From Project Gutenberg