putrid

adjective

pu·​trid ˈpyü-trəd 

1

a

: being in a state of putrefaction : rotten

b

: of, relating to, or characteristic of putrefaction : foul

a putrid odor

2

a

: morally corrupt

b

: totally objectionable

putridity

pyü-ˈtri-də-tē 

noun

putridly

ˈpyü-trəd-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• addled
• bad
• corrupted
• decayed
• decomposed
• putrefied
• rotten
• spoiled

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of putrid in a Sentence

a putrid shade of green

the putrid remains of a dead raccoon on the side of the highway

Recent Examples on the Web

Most commercial rodent repellents contain capsaicin (hot pepper compound), mint or rosemary oils, or putrid egg solids. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2024

For those who haven’t recognized the callous opportunism inherent to Donald Trump and his cronies, perhaps The Penguin’s putrid embodiment of those traits will nudge them closer to seeing one hideous monster in the other. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024

Residents of South America’s most populous city are complaining about both the smoke throughout the city and a putrid smell near the river. —Gabriela Sa Pessoa and Felipe Campos Mello, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024

The horror of crowds realizing that a plane flew into the World Trade Center, lower Manhattan covered in ash like putrid snow and a plane crash that at once symbolized the heroism of a group of average people and the possibility of the violence that could have been. —Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin putridus, from putrēre to be rotten, from puter, putris rotten; akin to Latin putēre to stink — more at foul entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

putrid

adjective

pu·​trid ˈpyü-trəd 

1

a

: being in a state of putrefaction : rotten

putrid meat

b

: characteristic of putrefaction : foul

a putrid odor

2

: morally objectionable

Medical Definition

putrid

adjective

pu·​trid ˈpyü-trəd 

1

: being in a state of putrefaction

2

: of, relating to, or characteristic of putrefaction

a putrid odor