noisome

adjective noi·some \ˈnȯi-səm\

: very unpleasant or disgusting

Full Definition of NOISOME

: noxious, harmful

a : offensive to the senses and especially to the sense of smell <noisome garbage>

b : highly obnoxious or objectionable <noisome habits>

— noi·some·ly adverb

— noi·some·ness noun

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Origin of NOISOME

Middle English noysome, from noy annoyance, alteration of anoi, from Anglo-French anui, from anuier to harass, annoy — more at annoy

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to NOISOME

Synonyms: insalubrious, unhealthy, noxious, sickly, unhealthful, unwholesome

Antonyms: healthful, healthy

Synonym Discussion of NOISOME

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>.

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