deodorize

American  

[dee-oh-duh-rahyz] / diˈoʊ dəˌraɪz /

especially British, deodorise

verb (used with object)

deodorized, deodorizing

1. to rid of odor, especially of unpleasant odor.

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deodorize British  

/ diːˈəʊdəˌraɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to remove, disguise, or absorb the odour of, esp when unpleasant

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Other Word Forms

• deodorization noun
• deodorizer noun
• nondeodorizing adjective

Etymology

Origin of deodorize

First recorded in 1855–60; de- + odor + -ize

Explanation

To deodorize is to remove or hide bad smells. After cooking fish, you could deodorize your kitchen by burning a cinnamon-scented candle. Whenever you cover up a stinky odor, you deodorize. Using deodorant under your arms is one way to deodorize, and spraying an air freshener around your house or burning incense are other ways. The word dates from the 19th century, from a combination of de-, "undo" or "do the opposite of," odor, Latin for "a smell," and -ize, a verb-forming suffix.

Example Sentences

Greene tosses ice cubes and baking soda into his disposal every week or so to deodorize it.

From Washington Post • Feb. 14, 2023

Sprinkle it on carpets or rugs to clean and deodorize, or mix with dish soap to clean your sink.

From Fox News • Dec. 30, 2021

She adds that dental cleaning tabs will also sanitize and deodorize.

From Slate • Oct. 4, 2018

Keep garbage cans clean and deodorize them with bleach or ammonia.

From Washington Times • Aug. 2, 2017

At the Ontario Station a patent disinfectant wash called "Zenoleum" was incidentally used to deodorize incubators.

From The Dollar Hen by Hastings, Milo M. (Milo Milton)