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

For starters, Kim’s attitude toward Khloe truly stinks. —Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 27 June 2024

One reason is that our brains intimately associate stink with disgust. —Big Think, 24 June 2024

Noun

The stink of smoke and ugliness of smog created from two of California’s biggest wildfires won’t be doing much dissipating before Thursday, and Bay Area air officials on Wednesday extended a current air advisory another 24 hours through Thursday. —Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 19 June 2024

Christopher Elliott Special to USA TODAY Air travel stinks. —Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 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