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 of stink

Verb

• smell
• reek

Noun

• 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

The onset of rot is creeping closer and the meat may even begin to stink. — Jack Hennessy, Outdoor Life, 23 Sep. 2026

The Falcons have already taken a lot of hits on defense, and their quarterback stinks. — Vic Tafur, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Noun

Unfortunately, there aren't enough pine-scented fresheners in the world to get rid of the stink that comes with having your car stolen. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Disputing the very right of California Attorney General Rob Bonta, New York AG Letitia James and others to raise an antitrust stink, the Todd Blanche-run DOJ made its bottom-line POV a top line in paperwork filed Tuesday in federal court. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2026

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

14th 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

Rhymes for stink

• blink
• brink
• chink
• cinque
• clink
• dink
• drink
• fink
• hink
• ink
• kink
• klink

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