reek of (something)

1. To smell very potently of something unpleasant. My hands always reek of garlic after I chop some up. He came down for his prom reeking of his dad's aftershave. The house reeks of wet dog—open the window!

2. To have a lot of or give the strong impression of something particularly unpleasant, offensive, or insidious. The deal struck by the government and the corporate lobbying groups reeks of corruption. The verdict of the trial reeks of prejudice.

reek of something

1. Lit. to have the stench or smell of something. This whole house reeks of onions! What did you cook? She reeks of a very strong perfume. She must have spilled it on herself.

2. Fig. to give a strong impression of something. The neighborhood reeks of poverty. The deal reeked of dishonesty. reek with something to stink with some smell. This place reeks with some horrible odor. Jane reeks with too much perfume.

reek of

1. To give off or have some strong, unpleasant odor: The kitchen reeks of rotten eggs.

2. To be full of something distasteful or offensive: The report reeks of bigotry. The whole incident reeks of corruption.

See also: of, reek

See also:

References in classic literature

Here we are all just ready to drop down, and the critters all in a reek of sweat.

View in context

And again he looked at me terribly through the reek of the fire.

Go forth, Mopo, my faithful servant, whom I have honoured with the warmth of my fire, go forth!" And once again he stared at me through the reek of the flame, and pointed with his assegai to the door of the hut.

View in context

It was dense enough to shut out everything from the light of the coach-lamps but these its own workings, and a few yards of road; and the reek of the labouring horses steamed into it, as if they had made it all.

View in context

Trainers are supposed to reek of the turf; O'Brien reeks of megabytes and Star Trek conventions.

RESULT!: Sign up for a first Aid course

But we must remember that after smoking, hospital staff's clothing and breath will reek of stale smoke and it will be carried back to the wards.

Letter: Your view - Smoke screen

I needed a dictionary by my side, but the descriptions carve vivid scenes that reek of all the dirtiest sights and smells of the era.

Wray, John. Canaan's tongue, a novel

But freeze those maudlin feelings and can the tearful obituaries, for the television desert the region's become must reek of opportunities to a whole new generation of TV creatives.

Let's focus on the future

From room deodorizers and potpourri to non-organic breakfasts and sheets that reek of bleach, the typical overnight stay can seem so toxic you'd almost rather stay home.

Traveling light: a visit to eco-friendly bed-and-breakfasts

While most people hanker after the new car smell, the reality is that the vast majority of the 27 million cars on the road are more likely to reek of fish, vomit and stale milk - made even worse with the hot weather bringing out the worst in any decomposing food lurking under the driver's seat.

DRIVETIME: MOTORING: Motorists admit their cars smell terrible!

Office workers who reek of cigarette smoke are putting their reputation and career chances at risk, research claims.

Risking career

Obviously she doesn't mind the reek of curry and cooking oil.

Straight to the point

OFFICE workers who reek of cigarette smoke are putting their reputation and career chances at risk,new research showed yesterday Only 10% of UK bosses polled by executive consultancy TheAziz Corporation said smelling of cigarette smoke during office hours was acceptable.

How careers go up in smoke

But Bock's references aren't limited to the entertainers of Camelot: His manic science experiments with exploding paint balls and cabbages reek of the Nutty Professor's '60s, while his timing, his wild stare, and his toothy grin are pure turn-of-the-millennium Jim Carrey.

Performance anxiety: RoseLee Goldberg on historicizing "live art"

The appointment would reek of cronyism, arrogance and disdain.

GEORGE TYNDALE COLUMN: GUILTY OF DISDAIN