effluvium

American  

[ih-floo-vee-uhm] / ɪˈflu vi əm /

noun

plural

effluvia, effluviums

1. a slight or invisible exhalation or vapor, especially one that is disagreeable or noxious.

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effluvium British  

/ ɛˈfluːvɪəm /

noun

1. an unpleasant smell or exhalation, as of gaseous waste or decaying matter

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Other Word Forms

• effluvial adjective

Etymology

Origin of effluvium

1640–50; < Latin, equivalent to ef- ef- + fluv-, base of fluere to flow ( effluent ) + -ium -ium

Example Sentences

It can last three to six months but the silver lining is that telogen effluvium can be reversed.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

Evidently, telogen effluvium happens when the body undergoes emotional, physical or hormonal shock and pushes more hairs than usual into the resting phase.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

Sudden and temporary hair loss has a medical name: telogen effluvium.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 10, 2022

Once such undisguised hatred is hurled, its effluvium clings, no matter how much is done to wash it away.

From Washington Times • Jun. 24, 2020

The gutters filled with rust-colored pine needles and the pungent effluvium of alder leaves, and the drainpipes splashed with winter rain.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson