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

To try to calm the surface, the Caldwell dumped heavy black bunker oil into the water, but this did little except cover the Zaida and its crew in thick, stinking grease. —David Wolman, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025

Besides a skunk by any other name would still stink to high heaven. —George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024

Noun

This was my chance to not be an actor, not have that stink of being an actor, that egotistical, show-off, controlling, making choices, being clever part of being an actor. —Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024

What the organization had in bulk was the stink of a horrific reputation well earned for over two decades. —Ben Standig, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 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