stinky

USAGE SUMMARY

'stinky' is a perfectly fine and usable word in written English.
It is used to describe a smell that is unpleasant or foul. An example sentence might be: "The wet dog had a stinky odor that filled the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These are not based on an odour's source, like "lemony", or on some evaluation of its properties, like "stinky", but describe the sensory experience itself, as a colour's name might to a Westerner.In this section Onwards and upwards Yoo-hoo, we're over here!

The Economist

Eddie sees a hot MILF he can show off to the boys; Jessica sees a kindred spirit who will eat her "stinky tofu" and bond over "Dolores Claiborne" — then pulls away when she realizes that Honey is the town home-wrecker.

The New Yorker

The everything store has taken customer feedback and ordered full series of five shows from their latest pilot season, including three adult series – The Man in the High Castle, Mad Dogs and The New Yorker Presents – and two kids series – Just Add Magic and The Stinky and Dirty Show.

The Guardian

The drink goes down great with the local fresh and smoked ricotta and stinky moena cheeses.

The Guardian - Travel

Worse, the meal comprising a piece of chicken and one potato (served with metal cutlery which, presumably, it seemed wasteful to throw away just because of some terrorist stuff in the West) also had us thinking that the Kazantip rave would be as run-down and stinky as one of the parties all those cool, arty girls from south London's Elephant and Castle have in their squats.

The Guardian - Music

All are available to anyone wanting to reduce their chemical intake – and require zero reliance on stinky headscarves.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But then again, how much would you pay for stinky tofu?

The Economist

When the air was scented with dimethyl sulphide, however, they spent an average of ten seconds breathing in the (from a human point of view) stinky scent of cabbages or upwellings.That does not prove that loggerheads smell their way to the table, of course.

The Economist

The share of the adult population that smokes has dropped from more than half in 1950 to around a third, but smoking rates remain among the highest in Europe.Dr Pötschke-Langer thinks German innkeepers should embrace the "shift away from stinky and dark bars".

The Economist

It is only a matter of time, it seems, before people will spray their bodies with cocktails of friendly bacteria designed to heal cracked skin, soothe itchy scalps, prevent foul-smelling underarms and stinky feet.

The Economist

The Netherlands turned down three men from Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Uganda in a case which has now reached the EU's highest court.In this section This monster called Europe Brussels v Berlin Little respite Stinky A giant Teutonic brothel Bigotry by degrees Désillusion ReprintsThe European Court of Justice, in a ruling on November 7th, tried to set a common rule.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stinky" to describe something with a strong, unpleasant odor. While generally acceptable, consider more precise terms like "pungent" or "rancid" when appropriate for clarity.

Common error

While "stinky" is widely understood, it might be too informal for academic papers or professional reports. Opt for alternatives like "malodorous" or "foul-smelling" in these situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stinky" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something possessing a strong, unpleasant smell. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. For instance, "stinky cheese" or "stinky feet".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "stinky" is a common adjective used to describe something with a strong, unpleasant smell. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, particularly in News & Media. While "stinky" effectively conveys a negative sensory experience, it's essential to consider the context. For formal writing, alternatives like "malodorous" or "foul-smelling" may be more appropriate. Remember that while understandable in nearly every context, "malodorous" is preferable for academic contexts. When describing an unpleasant smell, it is important to be precise in describing what type of smell it is using words like "pungent" or "rancid". Remember to consider your audience when selecting more creative words like "stinky".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smelly

A more common and less intense synonym.

foul-smelling

Directly indicates a bad smell.

reeking

Emphasizes a strong, unpleasant smell.

malodorous

A more formal term emphasizing an unpleasant odor.

fetid

Indicates a decaying, offensive smell.

pungent

Implies a strong and sharp, often unpleasant, smell.

odorous

Highlights the presence of a noticeable smell, often negative.

rancid

Suggests a stale, rotten smell, usually of fats or oils.

noxious

Refers to a harmful or poisonous smell.

unsavory

Extends beyond smell to describe something unpleasant or distasteful in a general sense.

FAQs

How can I use "stinky" in a sentence?

You can use "stinky" to describe something that has a strong, unpleasant smell. For example, "The garbage can was incredibly stinky."

What's a more formal alternative to "stinky"?

If you need a more formal word, consider using "malodorous" or "foul-smelling" instead.

Is it correct to use "stinky" to describe something other than a smell?

While primarily used for smells, "stinky" can also informally describe something as bad or undesirable, though this is less common. It is more precise and generally preferred to use it in reference to smells.

Which is more appropriate: "stinky" or "smelly"?

"Stinky" and "smelly" are often interchangeable, but "stinky" suggests a stronger and more offensive odor.