# smelly

/ˈsmɛɫi/ (US) · /smˈɛli/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/smelly
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

having a strong or unpleasant scent. You use this to describe things that stink, like old socks or garbage.

For teachers: having a potent and typically offensive odour. Often used predicatively after linking verbs such as 'be', 'smell', or 'become'.

## Examples

- The old gym bag is very smelly.
- The kitchen became quite smelly after the trash was left out during the long holiday weekend.
- While some find the aroma of certain fermented foods appetizing, others consider them too smelly to keep in a shared office refrigerator.

## Usage notes

- Often modified by degree adverbs like 'very', 'quite', or 'really'.

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