odoriferous

/ˌˈoʊdəˌrɪfərəs/

Other forms: odoriferously

Something that's odoriferous carries a smell. When you hear someone use the word odoriferous, just hope they're not referring to your breath or armpits.

Odoriferous is made up of the word odor, meaning smell and the Latin ferre meaning "to carry." Something that's odoriferous certainly carries a smell whether it's onions or roses or a pile of dog poop. Odoriferous has a less well-known second meaning; something that does not take your morals into consideration can also be odoriferous, or morally offensive. Many people consider animal testing odoriferous because of the harm it does to animals. They might call it odoriferous, or they might say it just plain stinks.

Definitions of odoriferous

1. adjective

   emitting an odor
   synonyms: odorous

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

   having an unpleasant smell
2. adjective

   having a natural fragrance
   “odoriferous spices”

   synonyms: odorous, perfumed, scented, sweet, sweet-scented, sweet-smelling

   fragrant

   pleasant-smelling
3. adjective

   morally offensive
   “odoriferous legislation”

   synonyms:

   offensive, unsavory, unsavoury

   morally offensive