# stink

/ˈstɪŋk/ (US) · /stˈɪŋk/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stink
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

to have a very strong and unpleasant smell. You can also use it to say that a situation or idea is very bad.

For teachers: to emit a strong, offensive odour; by extension, to be extremely bad, unpleasant, or dishonest. Often used in a figurative sense to express strong disapproval of a situation.

## Examples

- Those old socks really stink.
- The whole kitchen started to stink after we left the rubbish out during the hot weekend.
- While the physical garbage began to stink in the summer heat, the investigators realized the company's financial records smelled even worse, suggesting a massive internal fraud.

## Pitfalls

- Not "This room is stinking." but "This room stinks." — When describing a quality or state, 'stink' is usually used in the simple present rather than the continuous form.

## Usage notes

- The verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object. The past tense is 'stank' or 'stunk', and the past participle is 'stunk'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.