Fetid is an adjectivea word that describes a noun or pronoun used to describe a very bad smell. It usually means something smells offensivecausing dislike or disgust because of a bad smell, rotten, or unpleasantlyin a way that causes discomfort or dislike strong.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈfɛtɪd/
Easy pronunciation: FET-id (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Adjective meaning offensively smelly; bad odor.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Fetid Meaning
smelling very bad
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: Offensively smelly; having a very unpleasant odor.
Example: The fetid air in the alley made it hard to breathe.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- foetid — British spelling of the same sense.
- foul — Can mean very bad-smelling in this sense.
- foul-smelling — Direct substitute for a bad smell.
- ill-scented — Works in formal or literary use.
- noisome — Can mean extremely unpleasant-smelling, though more formal.
- smelly — Informal but works as a general substitute.
- stinking — Can describe something that smells very bad.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Fetid Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- foul-smelling
- smelly
- stinking
- foetid
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using fetid to mean simply 'strong-smelling' rather than specifically very unpleasant-smelling.
- Confusing fetid with words that describe an unusual or earthy smell but not a bad one.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does fetid mean?
Fetid means smelling very bad or offensively unpleasant.
Is fetid a common word?
It is a real English word, but it is more formal or literary than everyday words like smelly or stinky.
What are some synonyms for fetid?
Common synonyms include foul-smelling, smelly, stinking, and foetid.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
