Stinking rich

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Stinking rich" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is extremely wealthy, often in a somewhat informal or colloquial context. Example: "After selling his startup for millions, he became stinking rich overnight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky and The Year that It Rained Cows by Philip Ardagh are published by Faber.

The Guardian - Books

Stinking rich from Durham coal, he was so hostile to the miners during the general strike that even his cousin Winston Churchill rebuked him for turning an industrial dispute into a political battleground.

The Guardian - Books

You are stinking rich.

The New York Times - Magazine

BP, in other words, is still stinking rich.

Independent

Unless you're stinking rich, surely you have to draw the line somewhere.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And if all that money they saved was still regarded as currency in the Mayan/Bettman afterlife, they'd all be stinking rich and hailed as postapocalyptic geniuses.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Act filthy, stinking, disgustingly rich and don't apologize for it.

Huffington Post

The family's only hope for salvation lies among the invading parvenus: their Jewish financial adviser, and the stinking-rich daughter of a flatulent Chicago meat baron and a mouthy ex-burlesque queen.

The New York Times - Books

The reappearance of youthful glitterati in this high-priced hamlet that was until recently seen by many as a haunt for surly, stinking-rich septuagenarians is just one more sign that this picturesque valley of the River Oos is becoming chic again.

The New York Times - Travel

Part of the joy of the novel is its fleshiness, bone crunch, gristly, meaty, stinking metaphors, its rich sense of the human body as both abstraction and animal entity.

The Guardian - Books

Maybe I resembled a hobo for 45 minutes and I smelt a little like a boozehound with my arms drenched in stale beer, but I was rich and soon to be stinking drunk.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stinking rich" to add emphasis when describing someone with significant wealth, especially in informal or journalistic contexts. This phrase can convey a sense of awe, envy, or even disapproval depending on the tone.

Common error

Avoid using "stinking rich" repeatedly in formal writing. While it's an effective phrase, overuse can make your writing seem repetitive or less sophisticated. Vary your language by using synonyms like "filthy rich" or "extremely wealthy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stinking rich" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, typically a person or entity. It intensifies the description of wealth, indicating an extreme degree of affluence. Ludwig shows numerous examples from news and media where it serves this purpose, emphasizing the scale of someone's riches.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stinking rich" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone who is exceptionally wealthy. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this adjective phrase is frequently employed in news and media contexts to highlight the extreme degree of affluence. While effective in informal settings, alternative phrases like "extremely wealthy" or "affluent" are more suitable for formal writing. Keep in mind that the term can carry connotations of excess or ostentation, so consider the tone you wish to convey. As Ludwig AI shows, it is a correct and usable phrase in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Filthy rich

Another common idiom to describe extreme wealth; emphasizes the abundance of riches.

Rolling in money

Suggests someone has a great deal of money and is living lavishly.

Extremely wealthy

A more formal way to describe having significant wealth.

Opulent

Focuses on the lavish display of wealth.

Affluent

Implies a comfortable and privileged financial position.

Loaded

An informal term signifying someone who has a lot of money.

Swimming in cash

Suggests a surfeit of money.

Wall Street Tycoon

Conveys a position in wealth in the Financial sector

As rich as Croesus

Referring to the king of Lydia, known for his great wealth.

Made of money

Indicates a seemingly endless supply of funds.

FAQs

How can I use "stinking rich" in a sentence?

You can use "stinking rich" to describe someone who is extremely wealthy. For example, "After his company went public, he became "stinking rich" overnight."

What are some alternatives to saying "stinking rich"?

Alternatives include "filthy rich", "rolling in money", or "extremely wealthy". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is "stinking rich" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "stinking rich" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, opt for more neutral terms like "extremely wealthy" or "affluent".

What connotations does "stinking rich" carry?

"Stinking rich" often implies a certain level of excess or conspicuous consumption. It can also suggest that someone's wealth is somehow distasteful or excessive compared to simply saying they are "wealthy".