What does odious mean?
Odious is a strongly negative adjective meaning hateful, detestable, or intensely unpleasant. It describes someone or something that provokes loathing rather than ordinary criticism, often because of cruelty, moral ugliness, or sheer offensiveness. The word can describe people and their conduct, as in “an odious tyrant,” or less frequently the physical unpleasantness of a place, experience, or condition. Because it carries such emphatic disapproval, odious is especially effective in formal prose, speeches, literary criticism, and forceful personal expression. It is more common in writing than in everyday conversation, where speakers may prefer alternatives such as disgusting, appalling, or detestable. Odious remains useful when a writer wants to convey not merely that something is bad, but that it is exceptionally hateful or repellent.
adjectiveExtremely hateful, detestable, or repellent; inspiring strong loathing or disgust.
- Inspiring hatred, loathing, or intense disgust.
- Extremely unpleasant, offensive, or repellent.
"The committee condemned the odious treatment of prisoners as a serious violation of human rights."
"His odious behavior toward the refugees shocked the entire community."
"The weather was positively odious, with sleet and driving wind battering the coast."
Odious comes from a Latin word meaning “hatred,” so its force has always been stronger than mere dislike.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does odious come from?
Odious entered English through French odieux, which derives from Latin odiosus, meaning “hateful” or “full of hatred.” The Latin adjective in turn comes from odium, the noun meaning “hatred” or “strong dislike.” The same root also underlies English odium and the less common odiosity.
Related word forms
How odious is actually used
The word is formal and literary, with a strongly condemnatory tone. It is commonly used to characterize cruel or morally objectionable people, actions, institutions, or conditions.
Easily confused with odious
Odious means hateful or intensely unpleasant, whereas odorous means having a noticeable smell.