stench
Stench (noun) means a strong, unpleasant smell. Example: “The stench of rotting rubbish filled the alley.”
How to use stench
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA powerful bad smell — stronger and more unpleasant than an ordinary odour.
Word forms
stenched past tense, stenches plural, stenches singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of rotting rubbish filled the alley.
Etymology
From Old English stenc, originally meaning any strong smell, good or bad — over time it narrowed to mean specifically a foul one.
Related words
Rhymes for stench
See all rhymes for stench →Frequently asked questions
What does “stench” mean?
The word “stench” means a strong, unpleasant smell. In plain terms, a powerful bad smell — stronger and more unpleasant than an ordinary odour.
How do you pronounce “stench”?
“Stench” is pronounced stehnch (/stɛnt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “stench” in a sentence?
Here is “stench” used in a sentence: “The stench of rotting rubbish filled the alley.”
What is another word for “stench”?
Words with a similar meaning to “stench” include fetor, funk, malodor, niff, nosesore and reek.
What is the opposite of “stench”?
The opposite of “stench” — its antonyms — are aroma, fragrance and perfume.
What part of speech is “stench”?
“Stench” is a noun.
Where does the word “stench” come from?
The word “stench” comes from Old English. From Old English stenc, originally meaning any strong smell, good or bad — over time it narrowed to mean specifically a foul one.