smellier; smelliest
: having a smell
especially : malodorous
smelly socks

Examples of smelly in a Sentence

I don't like smelly cheese. your smelly sneakers are enough to raise the dead
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Having Poor Hygiene No one wants to sit next to a smelly, dirty passenger. Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2024 Rockdale County officials today plan to lift a shelter-in-place recommendation prompted by the smelly, hazy plume emitting from a pool chemical company in Conyers. Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 7 Oct. 2024 Rotten is also relative; a ripe, smelly cheese in one culture might seem rotten in another. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2024 Some people following a high-protein diet report experiencing more frequent and smellier farts due to their diet, also known as protein farts. Cristina Mutchler, Health, 31 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for smelly 

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of smelly was in 1862

Dictionary Entries Near smelly

Cite this Entry

“Smelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smelly. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

smelly

adjective
smellier; smelliest
: having a smell and especially a bad smell
smelly socks

More from Merriam-Webster on smelly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!