stinker

American  

[sting-ker] / ˈstɪŋ kər /

noun

1. a person or thing that stinks.

2. Informal. a mean or despicable person; louse.

3. Informal. something, especially some form of entertainment, of inferior quality.

4. Informal. something difficult.

   a real stinker of a crossword puzzle.

5. any device emitting an offensive odor, as a stink bomb or stinkpot.

6. Dialect. any of several large petrels.

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stinker British  

/ ˈstɪŋkə /

noun

1. a person or thing that stinks

2. slang a difficult or very unpleasant person or thing

3. slang something of very poor quality

4. informal any of several fulmars or related birds that feed on carrion

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Etymology

Origin of stinker

1600–10; 1920–25 stinker for def. 2; stink + -er ¹

Example Sentences

There’s apparently been no clarification since then from the Bell-Shepard household, but another supposed stinker who felt the need to redefine his role in that alleged 2021 trend was actor Jake Gyllenhaal.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

Rob Edwards has had an absolute stinker since leaving Middlesbrough to take the Wolves job.

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2025

The judges did admirable work laying out the historical record, saying, “This is a stinker, this is a loser.”

From Slate • Dec. 8, 2025

There was a lot to process two days after that stinker of a home opener.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2024

Then that stinker Paulie T. said, “I’m still mad, and don’t think I’m forgetting anything, Ida B. And I’m not too sure about forgiving, either.”

From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan