stink

UK: stɪŋk | US: stɪŋk

Definition

  1. n. a strong, unpleasant smell

  2. vi. to emit a strong, unpleasant smell

  3. vt. (informal) to cause something to smell badly

Structure
stink <to emit a foul smell>
Etymology

The word "stink" originates from Old English stincan, meaning "to emit a smell," which could be either pleasant or foul in early usage. By Middle English, it narrowed to specifically describe unpleasant odors. The word shares Germanic roots with Dutch stinken and German stinken, all conveying the same sense of foulness. Its simplicity and directness reflect its ancient, visceral association with sensory disgust.

Examples

  1. The garbage began to stink after sitting in the sun all day.

  2. There was a terrible stink coming from the clogged drain.

  3. He stank of sweat after the long workout.

  4. The fish market’s stink lingered in the air.

  5. She complained that the old shoes stank up the closet.