Reeked Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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reeked

[rēkt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

past tense

Reeked is the past tense of the verb 'reek', which means to emit a strong, unpleasant smell. It often describes a situation where a smell is so strong that it is almost overwhelming or difficult to ignore.

Synonyms

fumed, punged, smelled, stank.

Examples of usage

  • The garbage reeked after being left out for a week.
  • The fish market reeked of old seafood in the heat.
  • His clothes reeked of smoke after spending time around the bonfire.

Translations

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Origin of 'reeked'

The word 'reek' comes from the Old Norse word 'reika', which means to smoke or emit vapors. It has been used in the English language since the Middle Ages, primarily to describe strong and often unpleasant odors. In earlier English literature, the term was often associated with the smells arising from fire, smoke, or decay. Over time, the word evolved to specifically denote a foul odor, often linked to rotting or degraded materials. The shift in the word's use illustrates the linguistic adaptation to changing cultural and environmental contexts, often bringing to light societal attitudes towards cleanliness and aroma.


Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,548, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.