adj
stinky
STIHNG-kee
Stinky (adj) means having a strong, unpleasant smell. Example: “His gym shoes were stinky after the tournament.”
adj
1
Having a strong, unpleasant smell.
"What is that stinky smell?"
"His gym shoes were stinky after the tournament."
2
Bad or unpleasant in a general sense (informal).
"That was a stinky thing to do to a friend."
How to use stinky
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual, everyday word for something that smells bad, or is just unpleasant.
When to use it
Informal and often used with children.
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Word forms
- Plural
- stinkies
- Comparative
- stinkier, more stinky
- Superlative
- stinkiest, most stinky
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His gym shoes were _____ after the tournament.
Etymology
Comes from Middle English stinky, stynky; equivalent to stink plus -y. It compares with Dutch stinkig ("stinky, foul, rotten"), Low German stinkig ("stinking, stinky"), German stinkig ("stinky") and Hunsrik stinkich, and also with Saterland Frisian stjunkerch ("stinky") and West Frisian stjonkerich ("stinky").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for stinky
See all rhymes for stinky →Frequently asked questions
What does “stinky” mean?
The word “stinky” means having a strong, unpleasant smell. In plain terms, a casual, everyday word for something that smells bad, or is just unpleasant.
How do you pronounce “stinky”?
“Stinky” is pronounced STIHNG-kee (/ˈstɪŋki/ in IPA).
How do you use “stinky” in a sentence?
Here is “stinky” used in a sentence: “His gym shoes were stinky after the tournament.”
What part of speech is “stinky”?
“Stinky” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “stinky” have?
“Stinky” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a strong, unpleasant smell.
