What does reeking mean?
Reeking describes a strong, unpleasant smell, often one that permeates a place or suggests decay, poor hygiene, or spoiled food: 'The kitchen was reeking of stale fish.' Because the smell is so forceful, the word also has a figurative use for anything that appears morally or socially offensive: 'The deal was reeking of corruption.' It can function as an adjective, as in 'a reeking pile of rubbish,' or as the present participle of the verb 'reek,' as in 'The room was reeking with tobacco smoke.' Reeking is more emphatic than merely 'smelly' and normally carries a clearly negative judgment, whether literal or metaphorical.
Having or giving off a strong unpleasant smell; figuratively, displaying something morally or socially offensive.
"A reeking smell came from the abandoned building."
The figurative sense is strongly condemnatory.
The present participle of reek, meaning to smell strongly and unpleasantly or to give off a strong odor; figuratively, to indicate something morally or socially offensive.
"The old drains were reeking of sewage."
Often used with 'of' or 'with'; the figurative sense suggests corruption or offensiveness.
Reek can describe a physical stench or a reputation so corrupt that it seems to seep into everything around it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reeking come from?
The word comes from Old English recan, meaning 'to smell' or 'to stink,' and is related to other Germanic forms such as Dutch reuken and German riechen. The modern sense of a strong offensive smell developed from the older meaning of emitting an unpleasant odor. Its figurative use for something morally corrupt is an established extension of the physical sense.
How reeking is actually used
The word is usually strongly negative. It is commonly used with 'of' for the source of a smell ('reeking of smoke') and with 'with' for something permeating a place ('reeking with decay'). Its figurative use is common in formal and literary contexts.
Easily confused with reeking
A wreck is a destroyed or ruined object, vehicle, or ship, whereas reeking specifically refers to a strong unpleasant smell or to a figurative moral taint.
To wreak means to cause or inflict damage or destruction, while reeking concerns an unpleasant smell or a figurative sign of corruption.