odor
gb/ˈoʊdɚ/ us/ˈoʊdɚ/
B1
English
~ 7100
szag, rossz hírnév, hírhedtség
NOUN
B1
1
szag
A2
Usage pattern:
[something] has an odor; the odor of [something]
A strange odor was coming from the basement.
Furcsa szag áradt a pincéből.
The odor of cigarette smoke still hung in the air long after he left.
A cigarettafüst szaga még jóval azután is a levegőben lógott, hogy elment.
Residents complained about a strong chemical odor near the factory.
She used air freshener to cover the odor of cooking in the kitchen.
The vet checked the dog because of a foul odor from its ear.
Learner examples
There is a bad odor in this room.
Rossz szag van ebben a szobában.
I noticed an odor when I opened the fridge.
Szagot éreztem, amikor kinyitottam a hűtőt.
The odor of smoke made us leave the house.
They tried to remove the odor with a spray.
The garbage had a very strong odor.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "odor" always means something scientific or neutral. In everyday English, "odor" is often used when the smell is strong or unpleasant. For a normal or pleasant smell, "smell", "scent", or "fragrance" are more natural.
Meaning
A smell, often unpleasant
Collocations
strong odor
|foul odor
|musty odor
|chemical odor
|odor of smoke
|body odor
Synonyms
smell (More general and common; can be good or bad, not slightly technical like "odor" often is.)
|
scent (Often suggests a light or pleasant smell, sometimes used for perfumes or animals tracking.)
|
aroma (Usually a pleasant smell, especially of food, coffee, or wine.)
|
stink (Informal and very negative; suggests a very strong, disgusting smell.)
Antonyms
fragrance (A pleasant, sweet smell, opposite to the usually unpleasant feeling of "odor".)
Themes
daily life
|health
|science
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A smell that you can easily notice, usually a bad smell.
A smell that can be noticed, especially one that is strong or unpleasant.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
rossz hírnév
B2
hírhedtség
C1
Usage pattern:
the odor of [abstract noun]
The deal carried the strong odor of corruption, even if nothing illegal was proven.
Az ügyletet erősen lengte körül a korrupció gyanúja, még ha semmi törvénytelent nem is bizonyítottak.
Any project linked to the former mayor still has an odor of scandal around it.
Minden, a volt polgármesterhez köthető projektre még mindig a botrány árnyéka vetül.
The rushed contract left an odor of favoritism that angered local businesses.
The company is trying to remove the odor of dishonesty left by the previous management.
For years the party struggled with the lingering odor of past financial abuses.
Learner examples
The plan has an odor of corruption.
A terv korrupciógyanús.
The story left an odor of lies around the team.
A történet után a hazugság gyanúja lengte körül a csapatot.
For some voters, the party still has an odor of scandal.
The fast decision gave the deal an odor of favoritism.
The bank wants to lose the odor of dishonesty from old cases.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use this figurative sense in very casual speech, where it can sound strange or too literary. In everyday conversation, phrases like "seems corrupt" or "has a bad reputation" are more natural.
Meaning
General reputation, usually bad
Collocations
odor of corruption
|odor of scandal
|odor of suspicion
|leave an odor of
|in bad odor
Synonyms
taint (Stresses a mark of corruption or dishonor that damages reputation.)
|
stigma (Focuses on strong social disapproval of a person or group.)
|
reputation (Neutral; can be good or bad, while this sense of "odor" is typically negative.)
Antonyms
good name (Emphasizes a positive, clean reputation, the opposite of a bad or suspicious "odor".)
Themes
society
|politics
|media
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The bad feeling or bad reputation that people have about someone or something.
A general impression or reputation that something or someone has, especially a bad one associated with corruption or wrongdoing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
odor
IPA
GB/ˈoʊdɚ/
US/ˈoʊdɚ/
Syllables & stress
odor (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (odor)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: odor
- Plural: odors
Word family
Forms
odors
noun
Core family
odorless
adjective
Related words
odorous
adjective
deodorant
noun
deodorize
verb
Advanced or less common
deodorizer
noun
malodorous
adjective
Expressions
body odor
1/bˈɑdi ˈoʊdɚ/
fixed phrase
Unpleasant smell from the body
The bad smell that can come from a person’s body, usually because of sweat.
Examples
- He uses a strong deodorant because he worries about body odor.
- On hot days, crowded trains can be full of body odor.
- Good hygiene and clean clothes can greatly reduce body odor.
in bad odor with [someone]
1/ˈɪn bˈæd ˈoʊdɚ wˈɪθ sˈʌmwˌʌn/
idiom
formal
Be out of favor with someone
To be disliked or not approved of by someone.
Examples
- After criticizing the project, she is in bad odor with the board.
- The minister is in bad odor with voters after the expense scandal.
the odor of sanctity
1/ðə ˈoʊdɚ əv sˈæŋktɪti/
idiom
literary
Reputation for great holiness
A way to describe someone who is thought to be very holy or morally pure, often sounding old or literary.
Examples
- The reformer died in the odor of sanctity, praised by both church and state.
- Though he speaks in the odor of sanctity, his business practices are questionable.