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definitions

smelly

[ smel-ee ]
/ ˈsmɛl i /
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR smelly ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, smell·i·er, smell·i·est.

emitting a strong or unpleasant odor; reeking.

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RELATED WORDS

stinking, funky, rancid, fetid, foul, high, malodorous, mephitic, noisome, putrid, rank, strong, olid, reeking, whiffy

Nearby words

  1. smell up,
  2. smeller,
  3. smellies,
  4. smelling bottle,
  5. smelling salts,
  6. smelt,
  7. smelter,
  8. smeltery,
  9. smelting,
  10. smersh

Origin of smelly

First recorded in 1860–65; smell + -y1
Related formssmell·i·ness, noun
Can be confusedmalodorous odious odoriferous odorous smelly stinky
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for smelly

smelly

/ (ˈsmɛlɪ) /

adjective smellier or smelliest

having a strong or nasty smell
Derived Formssmelliness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for smelly

smelly

adj.

1854, from smell (n.) + -y (2). Related: Smelliness.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper