reek

[ reek ]
/ rik /

noun

a strong, unpleasant smell.
vapor or steam.

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

to give off; emit; exude.
to expose to or treat with smoke.

Origin of reek

before 900; (noun) Middle English rek(e), Old English rēc smoke; cognate with German rauch, Dutch rook, Old Norse reykr; (v.) Middle English reken to smoke, steam, Old English rēocan

OTHER WORDS FROM reek

reek·er, noun reek·ing·ly, adverb reek·y, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for reek

British Dictionary definitions for reek

reek
/ (riːk) /

verb

(intr) to give off or emit a strong unpleasant odour; smell or stink
(intr often foll by of) to be permeated (by); be redolent (of) the letter reeks of subservience
(tr) to treat with smoke; fumigate
(tr) mainly dialect to give off or emit (smoke, fumes, vapour, etc)

noun

a strong offensive smell; stink
mainly dialect smoke or steam; vapour

Derived forms of reek

reeking, adjective reekingly, adverb reeky, adjective

Word Origin for reek

Old English rēocan; related to Old Frisian riāka to smoke, Old High German rouhhan, Old Norse rjūka to smoke, steam