fetid

adjective fet·id \ˈfe-təd, especially British ˈfē-tid\

: having a strong, unpleasant smell

Full Definition of FETID

: having a heavy offensive smell <a fetid swamp>

— fet·id·ly adverb

— fet·id·ness noun

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Origin of FETID

Middle English, from Latin foetidus, from foetēre to stink

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to FETID

Synonyms: malodorous, foul, frowsty [chiefly British], frowsy (or frowzy), funky, fusty, musty, noisome, rank, reeking, reeky, ripe, smelly, stenchy, stinking, stinky, strong

Antonyms: ambrosial, aromatic, fragrant, perfumed, redolent, savory (also savoury), scented, sweet

Synonym Discussion of FETID

malodorous, stinking, fetid, noisome, putrid, rank, fusty, musty mean bad-smelling. malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive <malodorous fertilizers>. stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting <prisoners were held in stinking cells> <the fetid odor of skunk cabbage>. noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive <a stagnant, noisome sewer>. putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter <the putrid smell of rotting fish>. rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell <rank cigar smoke>. fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age <a fusty attic> <the musty odor of a damp cellar>.