miasma

American  

[mahy-az-muh, mee-] / maɪˈæz mə, mi- /

noun

miasmas, plural miasmata plural

1. noxious exhalations from putrescent organic matter; poisonous effluvia or germs polluting the atmosphere.

2. a dangerous, foreboding, or deathlike influence or atmosphere.

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miasma British  

/ mɪˈæzmə, ˌmiːəzˈmætɪk /

noun

1. an unwholesome or oppressive atmosphere

2. pollution in the atmosphere, esp noxious vapours from decomposing organic matter

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• miasmal
  adjective
• miasmatic
  adjective
• miasmatical
  adjective
• miasmic
  adjective
• unmiasmal
  adjective
• unmiasmatic
  adjective
• unmiasmatical
  adjective
• unmiasmic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• miasmas
  plural
• miasmata
  plural

Etymology

Origin of miasma

1655–65; < New Latin < Greek míasma stain, pollution, akin to miaínein to pollute, stain

Explanation

A miasma is a cloud of foul-smelling vapor, like swamp gas. You could have a miasma of sweat that lingers in a locker room long after a soccer team has left, or a miasma of rumor swirling around a politician. As you've probably figured out, miasma is always negative. You could describe the miasma of a hot summer day, but you'd be thinking of the stench of uncollected garbage and exhaust fumes, not the smell of summer flowers. From the Middle Ages until the late 19th century, when germs were identified as causing disease, people believed that you could get sick from the miasma of everyday life — from the odors arising from poor sanitation and cramped quarters.

Example Sentences

As I emerged from my children’s earliest years—a miasma of Duplo blocks, nursing pads and sleepless nights—I felt utterly depleted, not just in a physical sense but in a creative one.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026

Maddow then segued into a more comprehensive discussion about the rule of law, which she argued was not an abstract "miasma" but rather, is "specific stuff."

From Salon • May 7, 2024

This miasma of mockery and admiration is relevant again to the actor because of the unexpected viral notoriety of his character in “Dream Scenario.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2024

Another took footage inside, a miasma of smoke quickly obscuring the camera lens as passengers shouted and cabin crew tried to direct their next moves.

From BBC • Jan. 2, 2024

“Doc says it’s something in the air that spreads ague—something off bad water and garbage. A miasma, he called it.”

From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler