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Drunkard's breath

English Language & Usage Asked by hmijail mourns resignees on January 25, 2021

Is there any word, or short expression, to describe the stale-ish, alcoholic smell coming from someone who drank too much – particularly in the breath?

I’m looking for something more descriptive, and maybe visceral, than “drunken” in a line like “she avoided his drunken kiss”.

Some further alternative including smelling like smoking-and-garlic-and-old-beer, for example, would be interesting too :).

4 Answers

Let me offer "booze breath". Same thing as "alcohol breath", but has a nice ring to it due to alliteration.

Correct answer by A.P. on January 25, 2021

I've always enjoyed "crapulous", though it refers more to the state of being hung over than drunken.

Answered by Misneac on January 25, 2021

Miasma
noun
[countable, usually singular, uncountable] (literary)
​a mass of air that is dirty and smells unpleasant

A miasma of stale alcohol hung around him.

[Oxford Learners Dictionary]

PS: This is a word I heard yesterday on a TV interview. I came across your post while searching for this word.

Answered by Mug on January 25, 2021

Rank or rotten? "His rank/rotten breath repulsed her."

Or, "The sour bloom of decay wafted from his amorous maw." :-P

Answered by user372711 on January 25, 2021

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