Stinky vs. Smelly — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Stinky and Smelly
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Definitions
Stinky
To emit a strong foul odor
The basement stinks of mildew.
Smelly
Having a noticeable, usually unpleasant or offensive odor.
Stinky
To be of an extremely low or bad quality
These golf clubs stink.
Smelly
Having a bad smell.
She was hesitant to remove her shoes, as her socks were rather smelly.
Stinky
To be in extremely bad repute
His name has stunk ever since that scandal.
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Smelly
(figuratively) Having a quality that arouses suspicion.
The detective read the documents and thought, "Something sure is smelly about this case."
Stinky
To be morally offensive or have the appearance of dishonesty or corruption
Something about her testimony stinks.
Smelly
Having signs that suggest a design problem; having a code smell.
That smelly code needs to be refactored.
Stinky
To have something to an extreme or offensive degree
A family that is stinking with money.
An act that stinks of jealousy.
Smelly
A Short Magazine Lee Enfield rifle or one of its derivatives.
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Stinky
To cause to stink
Garbage that stinks up the yard.
Smelly
Offensively malodorous;
A putrid smell
Stinky
A strong offensive odor; a stench.
Stinky
(Slang) A scandal or controversy
"the stink over sexual politics in the military" (David Nyhan).
Stinky
Having a strong, unpleasant smell; stinking.
What's that stinky smell?
Stinky
(informal) Bad, undesirable.
Stinky
(childish) a bowel movement; feces or diarrhoea
Stinky
Very bad;
A lousy play
It's a stinking world