What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mephitic
Example
The mephitic fumes from the factory made it difficult to breathe. [mephitic: adjective]
Example
The cave was filled with mephitic gases that could be lethal if inhaled. [mephitic: adjective]
malodorous
Example
The malodorous garbage bin needed to be emptied immediately. [malodorous: adjective]
Example
The room had a malodorous scent of mold and mildew. [malodorous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Malodorous is more commonly used than mephitic in everyday language. Malodorous is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while mephitic is less common and has a more technical or scientific connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mephitic and malodorous?
Both mephitic and malodorous are formal words that are typically used in technical or scientific contexts. However, malodorous has a more general or colloquial connotation, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.