reek

[ reek ]

noun

1. a strong, unpleasant smell.
2. vapor or steam.

verb (used without object)

1. to smell strongly and unpleasantly.
2. to be strongly pervaded with something unpleasant or offensive.
3. to give off steam, smoke, etc.

   Synonyms: fume, smoke, steam

4. to be wet with sweat, blood, etc.

verb (used with object)

1. to give off; emit; exude.
2. to expose to or treat with smoke.

reek

/ riːk /

verb

1. intr to give off or emit a strong unpleasant odour; smell or stink
2. introften foll byof to be permeated (by); be redolent (of)

   the letter reeks of subservience

3. tr to treat with smoke; fumigate
4. dialect.
   tr to give off or emit (smoke, fumes, vapour, etc)

noun

1. a strong offensive smell; stink
2. dialect.
   smoke or steam; vapour

Derived Forms

• ˈreeking, adjective
• ˈreekingly, adverb
• ˈreeky, adjective

Other Words From

• reeker noun
• reeking·ly adverb
• reeky adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reek¹

before 900; (noun) Middle English rek ( e ), Old English rēc smoke; cognate with German rauch, Dutch rook, Old Norse reykr; (v.) Middle English reken to smoke, steam, Old English rēocan

Word History and Origins

Origin of reek¹

Old English rēocan ; related to Old Frisian riāka to smoke, Old High German rouhhan , Old Norse rjūka to smoke, steam