putrid

adjective pu·trid \ˈpyü-trəd\

: decayed with usually a very bad or disgusting smell

: very ugly, bad, or unpleasant

Full Definition of PUTRID

a : being in a state of putrefaction : rotten

b : of, relating to, or characteristic of putrefaction : foul <a putrid odor>

a : morally corrupt

b : totally objectionable

— pu·trid·i·ty \pyü-ˈtri-də-tē\ noun

— pu·trid·ly \ˈpyü-trəd-lē\ adverb

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Origin of PUTRID

Latin putridus, from putrēre to be rotten, from puter, putris rotten; akin to Latin putēre to stink — more at foul

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PUTRID

Synonyms: addled, bad, corrupted, decayed, decomposed, putrefied, rotten, spoiled

Antonyms: undecomposed

Synonym Discussion of PUTRID

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>.