reek
noun/riːk/
/riːk/
[singular]- a strong unpleasant smell synonym stench
- the reek of cigarettes and beer
- The reek of gunpowder and smoke grew stronger.
- There was a permanent reek of decaying food in the cupboards.
Word OriginOld English rēocan ‘give out smoke or vapour’, rēc (noun) ‘smoke’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch rieken ‘to smell’, rook ‘smoke’, German riechen ‘to smell’, Rauch ‘smoke’.Want to learn more?
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