reek

1 of 2

noun

ˈrēk 

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

an accusation that reeks of hypocrisy

3

: emanate

transitive verb

1

: to subject to the action of smoke or vapor

2

: exude, give off

a politician who reeks charm

reeker noun

reeky

ˈrē-kē 

adjective

Synonyms of reek

Noun

• stench

Verb

• smell
• stink

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

In that respect, Wolfram is a masterful merger of merger of serious social comment and taut, thrilling action, a film where base human cruelty is always somewhere on the horizon, a film that simply reeks of death and decay (there are more flies than Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia). —Damon Wise, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026

The entire episode reeks of everlasting ineptitude. —Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026

Verb

And the smell is soft and pleasant, instead of reeking of alcohol. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026

Following the opening verse with the characterization of his lady’s eyes, Shakespeare proceeded to give a rundown of her other features in less than flattering terms, including her lips (pale), hair (wiry), voice (grating) and breath (reeking). —David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for reek

• beak
• beek
• bleak
• cheek
• chic
• clique
• creak
• creek
• eke
• freak
• geek
• greek

Kids Definition

reek

1 of 2 noun

ˈrēk 

1

: vapor sense 1, fog

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

ˈrē-kē 

adjective