What does odorizer mean?
An odorizer is a substance, device, or system that gives a material a recognizable or detectable smell. Its most important use is in natural-gas safety: although naturally occurring gas is odorless, a small amount of a strongly scented compound such as mercaptan is added so that even a small leak can be noticed. The word can also refer more generally to equipment that releases fragrance into air or adds an aroma to a product. In industrial contexts, an odorizer differs from an odorant because “odorant” names the scent-bearing substance, while “odorizer” may name the substance, the dispensing device, or the complete system. The spelling is chiefly American, and British English more often uses “odorant,” although “odouriser” is also understood.
nounA substance, device, or system that gives something a detectable or distinctive smell. The term is especially used in industrial settings, such as adding a controlled scent to natural gas.
- A substance, device, or system that adds a distinctive or detectable smell to a material, especially industrial natural gas.
"The natural-gas odorizer adds a strong sulfur compound so leaks can be detected by smell."
"Safety inspectors checked the odorizer to ensure the gas supply remained easy to detect."
"The odorizer injects a small amount of mercaptan into the pipeline."
Used when referring to multiple odorizing substances, devices, or systems.
"The plant has installed odorizers at several points along the pipeline."
Natural gas is naturally odorless, so a controlled sulfurous odorizer turns leaks into something people can smell.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does odorizer come from?
The word is formed in the 19th century from the American spelling “odor” and the suffix “-izer,” an agentive suffix that forms nouns denoting a person, device, or substance performing a specified action. Its longer history lies in the Latin word odor, meaning “smell” or “scent,” which is also the source of British “odour” and of “odorous.” The combination with “-izer” was especially productive in American industrial terminology during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Related word forms
How odorizer is actually used
The spelling is chiefly American. In British usage, “odouriser” is possible, but “odorant” is generally more common. The word is technical and is most often encountered in the natural-gas and petroleum industries.
Easily confused with odorizer
An odorizer may be a substance, device, or system, whereas an odorant is specifically a substance used to impart a detectable smell.
An odorizer adds or intensifies a smell, while a deodorizer reduces or removes unwanted odors.