Definition

Having a very unpleasant smell; foul or rotten.

Example

The foetid odor from the garbage made it hard to breathe.

Conversation

Have you noticed that foetid smell coming from the dumpster?

Yeah, it’s really awful! I can't believe they haven't cleaned it yet.

It’s definitely attracting all the flies around here.

I hope they take care of it soon; it’s really unpleasant.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Foetid → It is derived from the Latin word "foetidus" (meaning stinking or foul-smelling), which comes from "foetere" (meaning to stink). The word "foetid" describes something that has a strong, unpleasant odor.

Memory Tip

Think of the Latin word for stink, 'foetere', to remember that 'foetid' refers to something that smells very bad.

Visually Confused Words