stink

Everyday

1. To stink is to have a very strong, bad smell. tree →
2. A stink is a strong, bad smell. tree →
3. (informal) If something stinks, it is very bad, unfair or of poor quality. tree →
4. (informal) To make (or kick up) a stink is to complain loudly and angrily. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life bins, socks and rotten eggs stink. In science, stink bombs and skunks are classic examples of strong smells. Children say «that stinks!» when something is unfair. In stories, a troll's cave stinks. Phrases: stink of, stink to high heaven, kick up a stink, stinking rich (informal).

Examples

• Your football socks stink! tree →
• The bins stank in the hot weather. tree →
• There was a terrible stink from the drains. tree →
• Skunks spray a liquid that stinks. tree →
• «You're not coming? That stinks!» (informal) tree →
• Mum kicked up a stink when the shop wouldn't give a refund. tree →
• The room stinks of fish. tree →
• He's stinking rich. (informal) tree →

Note

Irregular verb: stink, stank, stunk. «Stink of» something. «Stinky» and «stinking» are informal adjectives. «Stinking» can also be a mild rough intensifier («a stinking cold»). It is informal, so in writing use «smell bad».