stink

/stɪŋk/ (bre, ipa) · /stɪŋk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstiŋk/ (ame, mw)

stink — verb

  • stinkpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • stinkshe / she / it
  • stankpast simple
  • stunkpast simple
  • stinking-ing form

1. to give off a very bad and strong smell that people notice immediately, especial

1.動詞不及物A2
釋義

to give off a very bad and strong smell that people notice immediately, especially because something is old, rotting, dirty, or unclean.

例句

Diego's gym bag stinks so badly after practice that his teammates avoid sitting near him.

stink + adverb (so badly) for intensity

Ling didn't take the trash out — by morning the room stank of rotten fish.

stink + of + noun phrase (cause of smell)

同義詞
  • reek

    stronger and more literary; often used for heavy, surrounding smells like smoke or alcohol

  • pong

    British informal, lighter and more humorous than 'stink'

反義詞
  • smell good

    neutral opposite — 'smell' is not inherently negative

  • fragrance

    noun only; a pleasant, light smell

文法句型

stink + of + [cause of smell]

用法筆記

Subject is typically something that is old, rotting, dirty, or unclean — for example, trash, socks, drains, or stagnant water. Frequently used with 'of' to specify the cause of the smell, as in 'stink of garbage.' The simple past is 'stank'; the past participle is 'stunk.'

常見錯誤

❌The kitchen smells.' (when meaning it smells bad).
✅The kitchen stinks.
💡'smell' is neutral; 'stink' means the smell is clearly bad.
❌The fish stinks rotten.
✅The fish stinks of rot.' or 'The fish smells rotten.
💡'stink' uses 'of' to name the cause; 'smell' can take an adjective directly.

2. to be so poor in quality, dishonest, or unpleasant that people strongly dislike

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to be so poor in quality, dishonest, or unpleasant that people strongly dislike or reject it — used of situations, plans, performances, or deals.

例句

Aisha says the new show stinks — flat acting and a story that goes nowhere.

stink (figurative) + because-clause giving reason

The contract between the two companies stinks — too many hidden fees and unfair terms.

同義詞
  • suck

    very informal US slang; stronger and more direct than 'stink'

  • be awful

    more general, less informal — works in any register

反義詞

文法句型

stink (figurative use)

用法筆記

Only figurative sense that appears in the informal construction 'It stinks that...' to express disappointment ('It stinks that we lost'). The subject is typically a situation, plan, contract, or performance, not a person — you would not say 'He stinks' to mean he is dishonest (this would mean he smells bad).

常見錯誤

❌This test stinks hard.
✅This test stinks.' or 'This test really stinks.
💡'stink' is not usually modified by 'hard' or 'strongly'; use 'really' or 'absolutely.'
❌The movie smells.' (when meaning it's bad).
✅The movie stinks.
💡'smell' does not carry a figurative bad-quality meaning in English.

stink — noun