noisome

/ˈnɔɪsəm/

Other forms: noisomely

If you accidentally leave half a sandwich under your bed for a few days, cover your nose while you sleep because it will probably become quite noisome. This is a fancy way of saying that it will stink.

Despite that first syllable, this adjective doesn’t have root origins in the word noise; instead, it is related to the word annoy. Noisome can refer to anything unpleasant or anything that makes you feel a bit nauseous. However, it is most often used to describe things that smell badly. So spray some air freshener, open the windows, and clean out under your bed!

Definitions of noisome

1. adjective

   causing or able to cause nausea
   synonyms: loathsome, nauseating, nauseous, offensive, queasy, sickening, vile

   unwholesome

   detrimental to physical or moral well-being
2. adjective

   offensively malodorous
   synonyms: fetid, foetid, foul, foul-smelling, funky, ill-scented, smelly, stinking

   ill-smelling, malodorous, malodourous, stinky, unpleasant-smelling

   having an unpleasant smell