putrid
Americanadjective
-
in a state of foul decay or decomposition, as animal or vegetable matter; rotten.
-
of, relating to, or attended by putrefaction.
-
having the odor of decaying flesh.
- Synonyms:
- fetid
-
thoroughly corrupt, depraved, or evil.
- Synonyms:
- immoral
-
of very low quality; rotten.
adjective
-
(of organic matter) in a state of decomposition, usually giving off a foul smell
putrid meat
-
morally corrupt or worthless
-
sickening; foul
a putrid smell
-
informal deficient in quality or value
a putrid film
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of putrid
1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin putridus rotten, equivalent to putr ( ēre ) to rot + -idus -id 4
Explanation
You know that science experiment that used to be lunch that is now rotting in the back of your fridge? Because it's decomposing and stinks to high heaven, you can call it putrid. The adjective putrid describes something that is rotting and has a foul odor, but it can also describe anything that is totally objectionable or exceptionally terrible. Something that is morally corrupt or evil can also be described with putrid: "That putrid politician took kickbacks for his vote and then used the money to buy fur coats made from the pelts of endangered leopards."
Vocabulary lists containing putrid
Inside Out & Back Again
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The Westing Game
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Oh, No! Synonyms for "Bad"
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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.
In a reply to the team’s official account, which attempted a light joke in relaying the final score, Nelson again tweeted: “Stop Kraken jokes and finish games. Putrid performance.”
From Seattle Times • Nov. 15, 2022
Putrid dance music played for some time, and then the scare began.
From Fox News • Oct. 30, 2019
Putrid water that scientists say is aggravated by a warming climate has killed sea life, sickened residents, battered tourism – and reshaped politics up and down the state’s Atlantic coastline.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2018
Putrid meat from the carcass was about 50 percent scavenged, but Pratt saw little indication that the animal’s life was taken by a predator.
From Washington Times • Apr. 5, 2017
So bidding farewell to Petronius, he went hurriedly to the overseer of the "Putrid Pits" for his tessera.
From Quo Vadis: a narrative of the time of Nero by Curtin, Jeremiah
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.
