skunk smell

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   The strong, unpleasant odor released by a skunk or left behind after it sprays.

   Grammar: Can be countable (a skunk smell) or uncountable (the skunk smell was awful); usually used with "the" or "a".

   Patterns

   • a skunk smell
   • the skunk smell of something
   • smell like skunk

   We knew a skunk was nearby because of the skunk smell in the yard.

   The skunk smell stayed in the car for days after we drove past one.

   Tomatoes and vinegar can help remove skunk smell from a dog's fur.

2. 2nouncountable or uncountablefigurative

   A similar strong, unpleasant smell that reminds you of a skunk.

   Grammar: Used figuratively for other bad smells; often with "like": a skunk smell like burning rubber.

   Patterns

   • a skunk smell like something
   • have a skunk smell

   The old carpet had a skunk smell that no cleaner could hide.

   There was a skunk smell coming from the drain in the basement.

Word forms

Common combinations

get rid of a skunk smell

It took a week to get rid of the skunk smell in the garage.

a strong skunk smell

A strong skunk smell filled the whole street.

the skunk smell lingers

The skunk smell lingered on our clothes all day.

smell of skunk

The whole room smelled of skunk after the dog came inside.

Synonyms and how they differ

stench

Stench is a general word for any very bad smell and sounds stronger and more literary than skunk smell.

stink

Stink is informal and means any terrible smell; skunk smell names the specific source or type of odor.

Opposites

Word family

skunk noun

A small black-and-white animal that sprays a bad-smelling liquid when frightened.

skunky adjective

Smelling strongly like a skunk.

Commonly confused: skunk smell or stunk?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “skunk smell”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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