stink eye

noun

informal : a look expressing annoyance, resentment, or disapproval
usually used with the
As I bumbled my way through the ordering experience in Boston, I could feel the regulars giving me the stink eye [=giving me a dirty look]. "Who is this clueless fool?" I imagined them thinking to themselves, as I accidentally cut off the woman ahead of me.Tim Schenck
And when a new intruder comes … into my cove, … I do what any good bass fisherman would do. I give him the stink eye.David Lansing

Examples of stink eye in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This moment may be the turning point that kicks off a massive crew meltdown because, in addition to Kyle being unhappy to see Natalya, Jessika is probably going to give her the stink eye at some point since Natalya is moving in on her man. Gina Ragusa, EW.com, 22 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stink eye.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stink eye was in 1960

Dictionary Entries Near stink eye

Cite this Entry

“Stink eye.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stink%20eye. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

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!