Cool MateReek vs Smell vs Stink
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Reek
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Smell
Top 1,000 (very common)A2
Stink
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Smell
| Reek | Smell | Stink | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //riːk//🇺🇸 //rik// | 🇬🇧 /["/smel/","/smelz/","/smeld/","/smelt/","/ˈsmelɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/smel/","/smelz/","/smeld/","/smelt/","/ˈsmelɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //stɪŋk//🇺🇸 //stɪŋk// |
| Meaning | To have a strong bad smell. | To sense something by the nose. | To smell very bad. |
| Example | The garbage in the corner began to reek after a few days. | I love the smell of fresh coffee in the morning. | The garbage can started to stink after a week. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 | - |
| Collocations | reek of smoke, reek of alcohol, reek of decomposing matter, reek of sweat, reek of fish | strongly, faintly, slightly, like, of, almost, practically, can, almost, practically, can | stink of, really stink, stink up, make things stink, stink to high heaven |
| Antonyms | freshen, clean, sweeten | taste, sight, sound | 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'. | Confusing 'smell' as a noun and verb; remember 'I smell flowers' vs 'The smell of flowers is nice.', Omitting the object, like saying 'I smell' without specifying what., Using 'smell' inappropriately with non-sensory descriptions, such as 'I smell to be happy.' | 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. |
| Usage notes | Use 'reek' in neutral to slightly negative contexts. Avoid in formal writing as it may seem informal or overly strong. | Used when describing a scent or fragrance. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts, but may be less common in very scientific discussions. | Often used informally. Can refer to bad smells or unpleasant situations. Avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Reek vs Smell vs Stink
What's the difference between Reek, Smell, and Stink?
Reek: To have a strong bad smell. Smell: To sense something by the nose. Stink: To smell very bad.
Which is more common: Reek, Smell, and Stink?
Smell 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. Smell: I love the smell of fresh coffee in the morning. Stink: The garbage can started to stink after a week.
Can I use Reek, Smell, and Stink interchangeably?
Not always. Reek, Smell, and Stink 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.