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Containing sulfur, especially sulfur with a valence of 4 or 3.
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Compare sulfuric
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Characteristic of or emanating from burning sulfur.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sulfurous
From the Latin word sulfurōsus, dating back to 1520–30. See sulfur, -ous
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.
Meanwhile, gas measurements and changes in spring water chemistry indicate an increased input of carbon dioxide and sulfurous gases into Yellowstone’s hydrothermal system.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026
They all apparently have determined the health benefits outweigh the slightly sulfurous odors that have been the cause of some domestic friction.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026
A tangle of light above a black silhouette of a palm tree emits a sulfurous glow, its nauseous beauty balanced on the tip of potential annihilation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2025
Does this mean that humans also have the potential to create sulfurous stinks from our own insides?
From Salon ● May 31, 2025
Sometimes it seemed to be a person dragging something, for little puffs of red dust rose in sulfurous clouds at every other step.
From "Sounder" by William H. Armstrong
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