reek
[ reek ]
/ rik /
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noun
a strong, unpleasant smell.
vapor or steam.
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
to give off; emit; exude.
to expose to or treat with smoke.
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Origin of reek
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
OTHER WORDS FROM reek
reeker, nounreek·ing·ly, adverbreeky, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for reek
British Dictionary definitions for reek
reek
/ (riːk) /
verb
(intr) to give off or emit a strong unpleasant odour; smell or stink
(intr often foll by of) to be permeated (by); be redolent (of)the letter reeks of subservience
(tr) to treat with smoke; fumigate
(tr) mainly dialect to give off or emit (smoke, fumes, vapour, etc)
noun
a strong offensive smell; stink
mainly dialect smoke or steam; vapour
Derived forms of reek
reeking, adjectivereekingly, adverbreeky, adjectiveWord Origin for reek
Old English rēocan; related to Old Frisian riāka to smoke, Old High German rouhhan, Old Norse rjūka to smoke, steam
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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