adjective
Uncommon
smelly
SMEH-lee
Smelly (adjective) means having a strong, unpleasant odor. Example: “His gym bag was smelly after a week of unwashed clothes.”
adjective
1
Having a strong, unpleasant odor.
"His gym bag was smelly after a week of unwashed clothes."
"The smelly cheese was actually delicious."
2
(informal) Suspicious or questionable.
"The deal sounded smelly from the start."
How to use smelly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHaving a bad odor — or, informally, suspicious.
Common pairings
smelly feet
smelly socks
smelly cheese
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Word forms
- Plural
- smellies
- Comparative
- smellier
- Superlative
- smelliest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His gym bag was _____ after a week of unwashed clothes.
Etymology
From smell plus the adjective-forming suffix -y.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for smelly
See all rhymes for smelly →Frequently asked questions
What does “smelly” mean?
The word “smelly” means having a strong, unpleasant odor. In plain terms, having a bad odor — or, informally, suspicious.
How do you pronounce “smelly”?
“Smelly” is pronounced SMEH-lee (/ˈsmɛli/ in IPA).
How do you use “smelly” in a sentence?
Here is “smelly” used in a sentence: “His gym bag was smelly after a week of unwashed clothes.”
What is another word for “smelly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “smelly” include foul-smelling, malodorous, rank, stinky and whiffy.
What is the opposite of “smelly”?
The opposite of “smelly” — its antonyms — are aromatic, fragrant, sweet-smelling, above board and clean.
What part of speech is “smelly”?
“Smelly” is an adjective.
Is “smelly” a common word?
“Smelly” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “smelly” have?
“Smelly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a strong, unpleasant odor.
