reeks - Master This Word
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reeks Word Meanings
- to give off a strong, unpleasant smell
- to be strongly suggestive of something (often negative)
- a strong smell
reeks Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
reeks Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/riːk/
US
/rik/
reeks Word Etymology
Root: reek (derives from Old English 'reoc', meaning 'to smoke'). Origin: Old English → Middle English → Modern English. Memory image: Imagine a smoky fire emitting a foul odor, curling upwards like a dark cloud.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Reek is stronger than a simple smell. It often describes an unpleasant, persistent odor that is easy to notice and hard to ignore. You can say a room reeked of smoke, mildew, or rotten food, emphasizing the negative impression rather than just describing scent. In metaphorical use, to reek of something means to strongly suggest or convey a characteristic, usually a negative one, such as corruption or danger. The noun form refers to the smell itself, as in a bad reek, or a strong scent associated with a strong emotion or atmosphere. Think of a smoky, cluttered kitchen that lingers long after the source is gone.
Usage Reminders
- Use with caution for negative or strong smells
- Not interchangeable with odor or scent in everyday neutral contexts
- Often followed by of after a verb like reek or reeks
- Noun form refers to the smell itself, not just a feeling
- Can be informal or emphatic, avoid in scientific writing
- Remember the metaphorical sense to imply strong suspicion or association
Common Misconceptions
- Reek is just a stronger synonym for smell, not a separate concept
- You can say reek of something for neutral scents like flowers
- Reek always refers to smell only, never atmosphere
- Using reek with positive contexts is acceptable
- Reek cannot be used with inanimate objects
Thinking Differences
English speakers often reserve reek for strong negative smells and rarely use it for neutral scents; learners often mix it with odor or smell and underestimate its emotional force.
Learning Tips
- Compare smell synonyms to feel the strength difference
- Note when of follows reek and when it sounds odd
- Watch for negative contexts like corruption or danger
- Use reek with verbs like reeked and reeks for past/present
- Avoid using in formal scientific writing
- Link reek to a concrete source image to memorize
Related Listening
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