stink

1 of 3

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 3

noun

1

: a strong offensive odor : stench

2

: a public outcry against something : fuss

made a big stink when asked to leave

stinky

3 of 3

adjective

ˈstiŋkē 

-ki

-er/-est

: that stinks : stinking

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

In Toilet Base Regularly cleaning your toilet with water and vinegar will keep the smells away, but will also clean any of the germs that fester in and around your toilet and make the area stink, according to Knoll. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 6 July 2026

Also, more significantly, Trump’s approval ratings — in a word — stink. — Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 20 June 2026

Noun

First, to Lu Leccisu, which was all golden summer grasses, swaying in a stink that blew in from the waters of the nearby sewage treatment plant. — Angelica Calabrese, Longreads, 7 July 2026

No matter who wins, FIFA will have trouble getting rid of the stink. — Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 6 July 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