What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
odorific
Example
The odorific flowers filled the room with a sweet fragrance. [odorific: adjective]
Example
The bakery was filled with the odorific aroma of freshly baked bread. [odorific: adjective]
odorous
Example
The garbage can had an odorous smell that made me want to gag. [odorous: adjective]
Example
The chemical plant emitted an odorous gas that could be smelled from miles away. [odorous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Odorous is more commonly used than odorific in everyday language. Odorous is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while odorific is less common and may be considered more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between odorific and odorous?
While odorific may be considered more formal or literary, odorous is typically associated with a casual and informal tone. Both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.
