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

smell up, smeller, smellies, smelling bottle, smelling salts, smelly, smelt, smelter, smeltery, smelting, smetana

Origin of smelly

First recorded in 1860–65; smell + -y1

Related forms

smell·i·ness, noun

Can be confused

malodorous 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 Forms

smelliness, 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