Stench Meaning: Definition and Examples
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stench
[sten(t)ʃ ]
Definitions
unpleasant smell
A strong and very unpleasant smell.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| stench |
Stench is commonly used to describe a very strong and unpleasant smell, often something rotting or decaying. It has a very negative connotation.
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| odor |
Odor is a general term for any smell, good or bad. It's a more neutral word compared to 'stench' or 'reek' and can be used in a wider variety of contexts.
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| reek |
Reek is used to describe a very strong, unpleasant smell, similar to 'stench'. However, reek often implies a more pervasive quality, suggesting that the smell is hard to escape from.
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| stenchiness |
Stenchiness is a noun form that describes the quality of having an unpleasant, strong smell. It is less commonly used and usually implies a general state rather than a specific smell.
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Examples of usage
- The stench of rotten eggs filled the room.
- She wrinkled her nose at the stench coming from the garbage bin.
emit a strong smell
To have a strong and very unpleasant smell.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| stench |
This word is used to describe a very strong and unpleasant odor, often associated with decay or rot.
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| smell |
This is a neutral word that can refer to any kind of odor, whether pleasant or unpleasant.
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| reek |
This word implies a strong, unpleasant smell and sometimes suggests that the smell is pervasive or lingering.
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| stink |
This word has a negative connotation and is used to describe something that smells very bad.
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Examples of usage
- The garbage bin stenches up the whole street.
- The flowers stenched as they wilted in the heat.
Interesting Facts
Science
- The human nose can detect over 1 trillion different scents, making the perception of stench highly subjective.
- Certain compounds, like hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs, are notorious for creating strong stenches and can be harmful in high concentrations.
Literature
- In various works, including Charles Dickens' 'Oliver Twist', descriptors of stench vividly evoke settings and character emotions, enhancing the reader's experience.
- Edgar Allan Poe often used imagery related to foul odours to set a dark, eerie mood in his horror stories.
Pop Culture
- In the animated movie 'Shrek', the main character, Shrek, is often associated with foul smells, which adds humor and defines his ogre identity.
- The scent of stench has been featured in songs and memes, symbolizing anything undesirable, from bad relationships to unpleasant situations.
Environment
- Stenches can indicate environmental issues, such as pollution from industrial waste or decaying organic matter affecting ecosystems.
- Certain areas with high stench levels can become hotspots for biotechnology research, aiming to find ways to reduce unpleasant odours in urban settings.
Origin of 'stench'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Old English term 'stenc', which means 'smell' or 'odour'.
- Related words in other languages—like 'stench' in French ('sentir')—also refer to a bad smell, showing how different languages express unpleasant scents.
The word 'stench' originated from Middle English 'stenche', which came from Old English 'stenc', meaning odor or smell. Over time, the word evolved to its current usage to describe a strong and unpleasant smell. The concept of stench has been present in language for centuries, as humans have always been attuned to odors and their impact on the environment and health.