noun
stench
stehnch
Stench (noun) means a strong, unpleasant smell. Example: “The stench of rotting rubbish filled the alley.”
noun
1
A strong, unpleasant smell.
"The stench of rotting rubbish filled the alley."
"A stench of stale beer hung over the bar the morning after."
How to use stench
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA powerful bad smell — stronger and more unpleasant than an ordinary odour.
Common pairings
a foul stench
the stench of
reeking stench
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Word forms
- Plural
- stenches
- Third person singular
- stenches
- Past tense
- stenched
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
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.
