malodor
UK: mælˈəʊdə | US: mælˈoʊdər
n. an unpleasant or offensive smell; a stench.
malodor = mal<bad> + odor<smell>
- mal (from Latin malus, meaning "bad")
- odor (from Latin odor, meaning "smell" or "scent")
Etymology Origin:
The word malodor combines the Latin prefix mal- (indicating something negative or harmful) with odor, directly referencing smell. This construction follows a clear pattern in English where mal- is used to form words denoting undesirable qualities (e.g., malnutrition, malfunction). The term logically evolved to describe foul or unpleasant smells, preserving the original Latin roots in a transparent, compound structure.
The malodor from the garbage bin made it unbearable to stand nearby.
A strong malodor lingered in the room after the chemical spill.
The malodor of rotten eggs is often associated with sulfur compounds.
Air fresheners are commonly used to mask malodors in bathrooms.
The lab technician wore a mask to avoid inhaling the malodor released during the experiment.