What does smelliness mean?
Smelliness is a noun naming the quality or condition of being smelly. It refers to the presence of a noticeable odor and is most commonly used when that odor is unpleasant, strong, or persistent. In ordinary speech, the term often implies that a smell has become noticeable enough to be bothersome, although it can also describe an intense but neutral odor. For example, one might mention the smelliness of old carpets, neglected food, or a poorly ventilated room. The word is relatively uncommon in formal prose, where odor, stench, or malodor may sound more authoritative depending on the intended tone. Smelliness derives from smell plus the suffix -ness, which forms an abstract noun from an adjective or descriptive word. It is therefore especially useful when discussing a smell as a quality or condition rather than identifying a particular odor.
nounThe quality or condition of being smelly, especially of having an unpleasant or strong odor.
- The state or quality of having a noticeable, especially unpleasant, smell.
"The smelliness of the old refrigerator filled the kitchen."
"The smelliness of the bins soon spread through the alley."
"She complained about the smelliness of the damp carpets."
The plural is grammatically regular but rarely used.
"The survey compared the smellinesses of several poorly ventilated rooms."
Smelliness turns the simple sensation of an odor into an abstract quality, just as sweetness does for a pleasant taste.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of smelliness
Smelliness was formed in the 19th century by combining smell with the noun-forming suffix -ness. Its history follows that of smell, an Old English word related to smellen, meaning to perceive or emit an odor. The suffix -ness had long been used in English to create nouns denoting states or qualities, so smelliness literally expresses the condition or quality of being smelly.
Related word forms
How smelliness is actually used
The word is uncommon in formal writing and is used more often in everyday speech. It is especially associated with persistent or unpleasant odors and is often subjective rather than a precise scientific term.