skatole: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Scientific / Technical
Quick answer
What does “skatole” mean?
A foul-smelling organic compound (C₉H₉N) found in feces and produced by the bacterial decomposition of proteins in the intestines.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A foul-smelling organic compound (C₉H₉N) found in feces and produced by the bacterial decomposition of proteins in the intestines.
The chemical responsible for the characteristic fecal odor; used as a reference point for describing strong, unpleasant smells, especially those of decay or animal origin.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. Spelling is consistent; pronunciation may vary slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical negative, scientific connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, limited to highly specialized fields.
Grammar
How to Use “skatole” in a Sentence
The [noun] contains traces of skatole.Skatole is responsible for the [adjective] smell.The odor was identified as skatole.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skatole” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- The skatole-like aroma was overwhelming.
- A faintly skatolic note was detected.
American English
- The odor had a distinct skatole character.
- They noted a skatolic quality in the sample.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental science papers discussing waste decomposition, animal physiology, or odor analysis.
Everyday
Virtually never used. A layperson would say 'smells like sewage' or 'a fecal smell'.
Technical
Core usage. Found in research on digestive processes, wastewater treatment, perfumery (as a fixative in extremely diluted form), and animal husbandry.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skatole”
- Misspelling as 'scatole'.
- Incorrect stress on the second syllable.
- Using it as a general adjective (e.g., 'That's skatole!') instead of a noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In high concentrations, it can be toxic and irritating, but the amounts typically encountered in nature or research are small and handled with standard lab safety precautions.
In extreme dilution, skatole can add a warm, animalic nuance to fragrances and acts as a fixative, helping other scents last longer. The unpleasant smell disappears at very low concentrations.
Both are related organic compounds with fecal odors at high concentrations. Skatole (3-methylindole) has a methyl group attached. Indole, also found in feces, is notably present in jasmine flowers at low concentrations, contributing to their floral scent.
Yes, it is commonly synthesized in laboratories for research and industrial purposes, allowing for a pure and consistent supply without needing to extract it from natural sources.
A foul-smelling organic compound (C₉H₉N) found in feces and produced by the bacterial decomposition of proteins in the intestines.
Skatole is usually scientific / technical in register.
Skatole: in British English it is pronounced /ˈskeɪ.təʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈskeɪ.toʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No established idioms. Term is strictly technical.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SKAt-ole smells like SCAT (a word for animal droppings). The '-ole' ending is common in chemistry (like indole, a related compound).
Conceptual Metaphor
CHEMICAL AS SOURCE OF ESSENCE (e.g., 'The skatole in the sample confirmed its origin').
Practice
Quiz
In which field would you most likely encounter the term 'skatole'?