stinky

Everyday

1. (informal) Stinky means smelling very bad. tree →
2. (informal, children's talk) Stinky can mean nasty or unfair, as in «a stinky trick». tree →

In the lessons

Children use it a lot in everyday talk: stinky socks, stinky cheese, stinky bin. In science lessons smelly things often contain sulphur compounds or are rotting because of bacteria. In stories it gives a funny, rude-but-not-swearing tone. Phrases: stinky feet, stinky socks, stinky cheese.

Examples

• Take off those stinky trainers! tree →
• The bin was stinky after a hot weekend. tree →
• The stinky cheese made Dad hold his nose. tree →
• Skunks spray a stinky liquid when they are scared. tree →
• My little brother called me «stinky pants». tree →
• That was a stinky trick to play on your friend. tree →
• The stinkiest flower in the world smells like rotting meat. tree →

Note

Informal: in school writing use «smelly» or «foul-smelling». Comparative stinkier, stinkiest. Calling someone «stinky» can hurt their feelings.