Stink/stɪŋk/ Definition 1 of 5Pro Tip 1/3Intensity Matters Use 'stink' for very bad odors, not just any smell. He forgot his wet laundry in the machine, and now it stinks. Pro Tip 2/3Casual Speech 'Stink' is informal and more common in spoken language. You need to wash your dog; he really stinks. Pro Tip 3/3Negative Emotion Saying something stinks can express disgust or strong disapproval. Ugh, the garbage stinks!