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puanteur

stench, foul smell

noun poo-ahn-TUR Rare

Usage Note

Puanteur is a strong, expressive word for a repulsive odour — far more vivid than odeur or mauvaise odeur. It derives from puer (to stink), which is itself a useful related verb. The adjective puant can also describe an insufferably arrogant person in colloquial French — quel puant! meaning 'what an insufferable jerk!'

Examples

"La puanteur des ordures était insupportable."

Natural Translation

The stench of the rubbish was unbearable.

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