putrid

adjective

pu·​trid ˈpyü-trəd How to pronounce putrid (audio)
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 noun
putridly adverb
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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Instead, Brundle slowly morphs into a housefly with some pretty putrid habits and a tendency to randomly lose body parts. Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 25 Oct. 2024 The Sharks gave up an average of 27.2 scoring chances per game last season on their way to that putrid 19-54-9 record. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2024 Most of this putrid feature is, honestly, an inexcusable long walk to a tepid joke about a self-driving car. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2024 Like the vast sewage networks lying underneath the streets of cities like London and Paris, the intestines are responsible for channelling and processing the putrid wastes of the body. Elsa Richardson, TIME, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for putrid 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of putrid was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near putrid

Cite this Entry

“Putrid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/putrid. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

putrid

adjective
pu·​trid ˈpyü-trəd How to pronounce putrid (audio)
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 How to pronounce putrid (audio)
1
: being in a state of putrefaction
2
: of, relating to, or characteristic of putrefaction
a putrid odor

More from Merriam-Webster on putrid

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