Musky describes a strong, earthy smell that's hard to describe but easy to recognize once you've smelled it. Think of the scent in a forest after rain, or the smell of certain animals like deer, and you're close to understanding musky. The word comes from musk, a substance with a powerful scent that some animals produce naturally.

Many perfumes and colognes contain musky notes because people find the smell appealing in small amounts, even though it would be overwhelming if it were too strong. A musky scent is warm and rich, different from flowery or fruity smells. You might notice it in old attics, basements, or rooms that haven't been aired out in a while.

When describing animals, musky often refers to their natural odor. Skunks produce a famously musky spray (though most people would call it worse than just musky!). Some small mammals and reptiles have musky scents too.

While musky usually describes smells, it can occasionally describe tastes too, like certain mushrooms or aged cheeses that have that deep, earthy flavor.