What does halitosis mean?
Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath, especially breath that persists because of problems in the mouth or, less commonly, elsewhere in the body. In everyday conversation, people may simply say “bad breath,” but halitosis sounds more technical and can describe a diagnosed condition rather than a momentary odor after food or coffee. It is often associated with oral causes, including plaque, periodontal disease, tongue coating, dry mouth, and poor oral hygiene, though these are not the only possible causes. The word is useful in medical, dental, and public-health contexts because it names the condition precisely without implying that the person affected is untidy or careless. Halitosis can also refer more broadly to an unpleasant breath odor, so context determines whether the usage is clinical or simply descriptive. Its Greek-derived formation combines a root associated with breath with the suffix -osis, commonly used in medical terminology for a condition.
nounHalitosis is persistent or foul-smelling breath, especially when it is a recurring condition. The term is chiefly medical and may refer to problems originating in the mouth or elsewhere in the body.
- An unpleasant or persistent odor in a person's breath.
"Her dentist recommended a dental cleaning to address her persistent halitosis."
"Persistent halitosis prompted him to schedule a dental appointment."
"The clinic provides advice and treatment for chronic halitosis."
The standard plural, used when referring to multiple cases or instances of the condition.
"The clinic treats halitoses with several different underlying causes."
Bad breath has a Greek name—and a mouthful to match.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does halitosis come from?
The English medical term dates from the 19th century and was formed in New Latin from Greek elements associated with breath and the suffix -osis, meaning a condition or process. Its breath-related roots have parallels in Latin halitus, meaning “breath,” and in the Latin forms behind inhale and exhale. The result reflects the wider growth of Greek- and Latin-derived terminology in nineteenth-century medicine.
Related word forms
How halitosis is actually used
A formal or clinical term for which “bad breath” is the usual everyday alternative. Depending on context, it may denote a diagnosed recurring condition or simply an unpleasant breath odor.