reek

¹reek

noun \ˈrēk\

Definition of REEK

1

chiefly dialect : smoke

2

: vapor, fog

3

: a strong or disagreeable fume or odor

Examples of REEK

1. <a terrible reek coming from the garbage can>
2. <couldn't see through the reek of smog and smoke surrounding the steel plant>

Origin of REEK

Middle English rek, from Old English rēc; akin to Old High German rouh smoke

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to REEK

Synonyms

funk, stink, stench

Antonyms

aroma, fragrance, perfume

Related Words

acridness, fetidness, foulness, fustiness, malodorousness, mustiness, odoriferousness, odorousness, rancidity, rankness, staleness; badness, vileness; dirt, dirtiness, filth, filthiness, nastiness; effluvium (also effluvia), emission; odor, redolence, scent, sniff

Near Antonyms

floweriness, lusciousness, savoriness, spiciness, sweetness; bouquet; ambrosia

Rhymes with REEK

beak, bleak, cheek, chic, cleek, clique, creak, creek, Creek, eke, flic, freak, geek, gleek, Greek, keek, leak, leek, meek, peak, peek, peke, pic, pique, screak, seek, sheikh, shriek, sic, Sikh, sleek, sneak, speak, squeak, steek, streak, streek, teak, tweak, weak, week

²reek

verb

Definition of REEK

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

: emanate

transitive verb

1

: to subject to the action of smoke or vapor

2

: exude, give off <a politician who reeks charm>

— reek·er noun

— reeky \ˈrē-kē\ adjective

Examples of REEK

1. <those old sneakers reek something awful>

First Known Use of REEK

before 12th century

Related to REEK

Synonyms

stink

Related Words

exhale, savor (also savour), smell; decay, decompose, rot, spoil; disgust, offend, repulse, revolt