stink

1 of 2

verb

ˈstiŋk 

stank ˈstaŋk  or stunk ˈstəŋk  ; stunk; stinking

intransitive verb

1

: to emit a strong offensive odor

stank of urine

2

: to be offensive

the election stank of corruption

also : to be in bad repute

3

: to possess something to an offensive degree

stinking with wealth

4

: to be extremely bad or unpleasant

the performance stank

that news really stinks

stinky

ˈstiŋ-kē 

adjective

stink

2 of 2

noun

1

: a strong offensive odor : stench

2

: a public outcry against something : fuss

made a big stink when asked to leave

Synonyms

Verb

• reek

Noun

• funk
• reek
• stench

Examples of stink in a Sentence

Verb

The food is good at that restaurant, but the service stinks.

Having a root canal stinks.

Noun

People raised a stink about the new law.

He kicked up a stink about the way he'd been treated.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Climate and environment Years after a massive sewage spill, El Segundo still stinks. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024

Science podcast for kids—This science podcast from American Public Media with Molly Bloom answers many fun questions (like why do feet stink?) and is meant for adults too. —Anna Halkidis, Parents, 6 Dec. 2024

Noun

From electric blue waves to eye-watering stink Oct. 30, 2024 Why are dead oarfish washing ashore? —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024

Wearing none of the stink of Unfrosted, which somehow got an Outstanding Television Movie nomination! —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English stincan; akin to Old High German stinkan to emit a smell

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stink

• kick up a fuss/stink
• raise a stink
• stink bomb
• stink bug
• stink eye
• stink out
• stink up
• stink up the joint

Kids Definition

stink

1 of 2 verb

ˈstiŋk 

stank ˈstaŋk  or stunk ˈstəŋk  ; stunk; stinking

1

: to give off or cause to have an unpleasant smell

the garbage pail stinks

2

: to be very bad or unpleasant

that news really stinks

stinker noun

stink

2 of 2 noun

1

: a strong unpleasant odor : stench

2

: a public outcry against something : fuss

made a big stink when asked to leave

stinky

ˈstiŋ-kē

adjective