Stench: meaning, definitions and examples

Stench is commonly used to describe a very strong and unpleasant smell, often something rotting or decaying. It has a very negative connotation.

• The stench from the garbage dump was unbearable.
• There was a stench of rotten eggs in the room.

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.

• The odor of fresh bread filled the kitchen.
• There was a strange odor coming from the basement.

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.

• His clothes reeked of cigarette smoke.
• The kitchen reeked of burnt food.

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.

• The stenchiness of the locker room was overwhelming.
• She complained about the stenchiness of the fish market.

This word is used to describe a very strong and unpleasant odor, often associated with decay or rot.

• The stench from the garbage dump was unbearable.
• The stench of rotting flesh filled the room.

This is a neutral word that can refer to any kind of odor, whether pleasant or unpleasant.

• I love the smell of fresh coffee in the morning.
• There was a strange smell coming from the basement.

This word implies a strong, unpleasant smell and sometimes suggests that the smell is pervasive or lingering.

• The room reeked of cigarette smoke.
• His clothes reeked after working all day in the hot sun.

This word has a negative connotation and is used to describe something that smells very bad.

• What’s that stink? Did someone leave food out too long?
• The stink of rotten eggs made everyone feel nauseous.