odoriferous
Americanadjective
adjective
Usage
What does odoriferous mean? Odoriferous means having a strong smell.Describing something as odoriferous doesn’t always mean it smells bad, but it usually does. The same thing goes for its close synonym odorous. Both are based on the word odor, meaning a smell.Example: After gym class, the locker room turns into an odoriferous chamber of sweat and smelly socks.
Other Word Forms
- nonodoriferous adjective
- nonodoriferously adverb
- nonodoriferousness noun
- odoriferosity noun
- odoriferously adverb
- odoriferousness noun
- unodoriferous adjective
- unodoriferously adverb
- unodoriferousness noun
Etymology
Origin of odoriferous
1425–75; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin odōriferus “smelling of (something),” equivalent to odōr- odor + -i- -i- + -ferus -ferous
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Researchers surveyed 53 species and found a cluster of genes in the most rank-smelling species, and in other odoriferous plants as well.
From Salon
All this odoriferous research has convinced some scientists that DMS is intimately associated with life, making it an ideal biosignature if found hundreds of light years away on some lonely planet.
From Salon
Letting it decompose there would have created a monthslong unbearable odoriferous situation for nearby residents.
From Seattle Times
Smoke inhalation is air pollution that causes health issues, including eye, nose and throat irritation; headaches; nausea; breathing difficulties; asthmatic attacks and is an odoriferous nuisance to many nonsmokers.
From Washington Post
Medea's odoriferous potions and Canidia's fragrant spells resemble ordinary women's perfumes, but exaggerated to supernatural levels.
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
