Cool MateReek vs Stink vs You stink of dragon
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Reek
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Stink
Top 2,000 (common)
You stink of dragon
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Stink
| Reek | Stink | You stink of dragon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //riːk//🇺🇸 //rik// | 🇬🇧 //stɪŋk//🇺🇸 //stɪŋk// | 🇬🇧 //juː stɪŋk əv ˈdræɡən//🇺🇸 //ju stɪŋk əv ˈdræɡən// |
| Meaning | To have a strong bad smell. | To smell very bad. | You smell very bad. |
| Example | The garbage in the corner began to reek after a few days. | The garbage can started to stink after a week. | After running all day, you stink of dragon! |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | reek of smoke, reek of alcohol, reek of decomposing matter, reek of sweat, reek of fish | stink of, really stink, stink up, make things stink, stink to high heaven | stink of garbage, you smell bad, stink up the room, stink of sweat, have a foul odor |
| Antonyms | freshen, clean, sweeten | sweet, fragrance, perfume | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'reek' vs 'reeked'; 'reeked' is past tense., Using 'reek' without a preposition like 'of' for clarity., Mixing it up with similar sounding words like 'wreak'. | Confused with 'stunk' - remember it's present tense., Using 'stink' with only a subject - needs an object., Mixing up with 'smell' - 'stink' is more negative. | Misunderstanding 'stink' as only related to garbage., Using in formal settings where joking is inappropriate., Confusing with 'you smell like a dragon' which implies majesty instead of bad smell. |
| Usage notes | Use 'reek' in neutral to slightly negative contexts. Avoid in formal writing as it may seem informal or overly strong. | Often used informally. Can refer to bad smells or unpleasant situations. Avoid in formal writing. | Used in casual conversations to humorously or insultingly express that someone has a very bad odor. |
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Frequently asked questions: Reek vs Stink vs You stink of dragon
What's the difference between Reek, Stink, and You stink of dragon?
Reek: To have a strong bad smell. Stink: To smell very bad. You stink of dragon: You smell very bad.
Which is more common: Reek, Stink, and You stink of dragon?
Stink is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Reek: The garbage in the corner began to reek after a few days. Stink: The garbage can started to stink after a week. You stink of dragon: After running all day, you stink of dragon!
Can I use Reek, Stink, and You stink of dragon interchangeably?
Not always. Reek, Stink, and You stink of dragon are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.