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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.
"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 notes

In plain EnglishA casual, everyday word for something that smells bad, or is just unpleasant.

When to use it

Informal and often used with children.

Word forms

stinkier comparative, more stinky comparative, stinkies plural, stinkiest superlative, most stinky superlative

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His gym shoes were _____ after the tournament.

Etymology

From Middle English stinky, stynky, equivalent to stink + -y. Compare Dutch stinkig (“stinky, foul, rotten”), Low German stinkig (“stinking, stinky”), German stinkig (“stinky”), Hunsrik stinkich. Compare also Saterland Frisian stjunkerch (“stinky”), West Frisian stjonkerich (“stinky”).

Origin: Middle English

malodorous malodourous ill-smelling unpleasant-smelling

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial · etymology from Wiktionary