What does stinking mean?
The word stinking has a strongly negative literal meaning and an equally forceful figurative one. In its basic adjectival use, it describes something that gives off a foul, unpleasant smell. It can also function as the present participle of stink, as in a sentence about an animal or place emitting an odor. Informally, stinking intensifies disapproval: a stinking trick or a stinking mess can mean that something is especially bad, dirty, or contemptible. The expression stinking rich is a contrasting idiomatic use, meaning extremely or unusually wealthy. These meanings are shared in everyday British and American English, though the word is generally more informal and expressive than neutral words such as smelly or very wealthy. Stinking is memorable because it moves readily between physical sensation and emphatic judgment: it can condemn a smell, condemn conduct, or—with a shift toward praise or surprise—describe great wealth. Its bluntness makes it especially effective in speech and informal writing.
The present participle of stink, meaning giving off an offensive smell.
"The old pipes were stinking under the kitchen sink."
Normally used in continuous or participial constructions.
Having a foul smell; informally, very bad or unpleasant; or, in the idiom “stinking rich,” extremely wealthy.
"He left the room in a stinking mood, while his uncle had become stinking rich."
The figurative adjective is often emphatic and derogatory, except in idioms such as “stinking rich.”
Stinking can condemn a foul smell or a despicable act—or, in “stinking rich,” celebrate remarkable wealth.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stinking come from?
The form stinking was created in English by adding the present-participle suffix -ing to stink. Stink itself has Middle English and Old English ancestry and belongs to a Germanic word family represented by Dutch stinken and German stinken, all sharing an ancient root associated with emitting an offensive odor. Stinky and stinker are later English derivatives, while stench is a related cognate that emphasizes a strong unpleasant smell.
Related word forms
How stinking is actually used
Informal and strongly expressive rather than neutral. Its figurative use is often derogatory when describing people, conduct, or situations, while “stinking rich” may be admiring, playful, or ironic.