reek

1 of 2

noun

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

transitive verb

1
: to subject to the action of smoke or vapor
2
: exude, give off
a politician who reeks charm
reeker noun
reeky adjective

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 See all Example Sentences for reek 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reek.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of reek was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near reek

Cite this Entry

“Reek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reek. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

reek

1 of 2 noun
1
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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on reek

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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