Reek

/riːk/

Meaning & Definition

noun

a strong, unpleasant smell.

There was a reek of smoke in the air after the fire was extinguished.

verb

to emit a strong, unpleasant smell.

The garbage began to reek after sitting out in the sun for too long.

to be strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something.

His actions reeked of desperation as he pleaded for help.

Middle English, from Old Norse 'reykja' meaning 'to smoke, to fume'.

reek of

to possess or be full of a strong or offensive quality, often used to imply something negative.

stench

a strong, foul smell

odor

a distinctive smell, especially an unpleasant one

fume

to emit smoke or vapor

smoke

the visible vapor and gases given off by a burning substance

to have a very strong and unpleasant odor, particularly in a gross or exaggerated sense

That gym bag reeked after a week in the corner of the room.

to be overwhelmingly associated with something negative

His excuses reek of dishonesty.