stink
stihngk
Stink (verb) means to give off a strong, unpleasant smell. Example: “The bins outside the restaurant stink in the summer heat.”
verb
1
To give off a strong, unpleasant smell.
"The bins outside the restaurant stink in the summer heat."
2
To be very bad in quality (informal).
"Everyone agreed the movie's ending stank."
noun
1
A strong bad smell.
"There was a stink of rotten eggs coming from the drain."
2
A fuss, complaint, or public objection (informal).
"She raised a stink about the parking charges at the meeting."
How to use stink
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo smell bad, be bad in quality, or (as a noun) a fuss or complaint.
Common pairings
stink of smoke
raise a stink
stink to high heaven
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Word forms
- Plural
- stinks
- Third person singular
- stinks
- Past tense
- stank, stunk
- Comparative
- more stink
- Superlative
- most stink
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bins outside the restaurant _____ in the summer heat.
Etymology
From Old English stincan, from an ancient Germanic root meaning "to push or strike" — related to the idea of a smell "hitting" you.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for stink
See all rhymes for stink →Frequently asked questions
What does “stink” mean?
The word “stink” means to give off a strong, unpleasant smell. In plain terms, to smell bad, be bad in quality, or (as a noun) a fuss or complaint.
How do you pronounce “stink”?
“Stink” is pronounced stihngk (/stɪŋk/ in IPA).
How do you use “stink” in a sentence?
Here is “stink” used in a sentence: “The bins outside the restaurant stink in the summer heat.”
What part of speech is “stink”?
Depending on how it is used, “stink” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “stink” come from?
The word “stink” comes from Old English. From Old English stincan, from an ancient Germanic root meaning "to push or strike" — related to the idea of a smell "hitting" you.
Is “stink” a common word?
“Stink” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “stink” have?
“Stink” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to give off a strong, unpleasant smell.
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