reek

1 of 2

noun

ˈrēk 

1

chiefly dialectal : smoke

2

: vapor, fog

3

: a strong or disagreeable fume or odor

reek

2 of 2

verb

reeked; reeking; reeks

intransitive verb

1

: to emit smoke or vapor

2

a

: to give off or become permeated with a strong or offensive odor

a room reeking of incense

b

: to give a strong impression of some constituent quality or feature

a neighborhood that reeks of poverty

3

: emanate

transitive verb

1

: to subject to the action of smoke or vapor

2

: exude, give off

a politician who reeks charm

reeker noun

reeky

ˈrē-kē 

adjective

Synonyms

Noun

• funk
• stench
• stink

Verb

• stink

Examples of reek in a Sentence

Noun

a terrible reek coming from the garbage can

couldn't see through the reek of smog and smoke surrounding the steel plant

Verb

those old sneakers reek something awful

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This illusion is shattered by the reality of what Martin’s doing: drugging, raping, and murdering people in a run-down part of Pittsburgh whose urban decay might as well reek of death itself. —James Grebey, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024

The entire film reeks of self-importance and a need to remind us all that those behind the camera are smarter than anyone in the audience. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 Sep. 2024

Verb

These Bay Area cities and counties are getting $48 million to clear homeless camps These 7 new California laws came from 1,000 bills Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed Gov. Newsom signs lemon car reform law with a caveat to lawmakers This bill reeked of French Laundry. —Tom Philp, The Mercury News, 5 Oct. 2024

Upon entering the room, hotel staff found flames spreading across the bedding, which reeked of turpentine. —Longreads, 3 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English rek, from Old English rēc; akin to Old High German rouh smoke

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

reek

1 of 2 noun

ˈrēk 

1

: vapor sense 1, fog

2

: a strong or disagreeable fume or odor

reek

2 of 2 verb

1

: to give off smoke or vapor

2

a

: to have a strong or unpleasant smell

the kitchen reeks of garlic

clothes reeking of tobacco smoke

b

: to give a strong impression of some feature or quality

she reeks of snobbery

reeky

ˈrē-kē 

adjective