Odor
/ˈoʊ.dər/noun
A distinctive smell, especially one that is unpleasant.
Did you know?In classical Latin, odor could mean a pleasant fragrance or a strong smell, and English later narrowed it mostly toward the idea of a noticeable scent.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂ed-
“to smell, perceive by smell”
Latin
Latin
odor
“a smell, scent, odor”
Old French
Old French
odor
“smell, scent”
Middle English
English
odour
“a smell or scent”
Modern English
English
odor
“a smell, especially a strong or unpleasant one”