What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
putrid
Example
The putrid smell of the garbage made me feel sick. [putrid: adjective]
Example
The meat was left out for too long and became putrid. [putrid: adjective]
rotten
Example
The apple was rotten and had to be thrown away. [rotten: adjective]
Example
The company's business practices were rotten and unethical. [rotten: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rotten is more commonly used than putrid in everyday language. Rotten is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while putrid is less common and typically used in more specific situations involving contamination or disease.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between putrid and rotten?
Both putrid and rotten are considered informal and are not commonly used in formal writing or speech. However, putrid may be considered more technical or scientific due to its association with contamination and disease.
