Definition

1. Noun:
   • A defective or unsatisfactory artifact, especially an automobile: "stinker" can refer to a poorly made or malfunctioning object, most commonly an old or unreliable car.
   • Anything that emits a strong, unpleasant smell: This meaning refers to an object, often a cheap cigar, that produces a foul odor.
   • A person who is considered despicable or contemptible: Used as a strong insult to describe someone who is vile, mean, or cowardly.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • That old car is a real stinker; it breaks down every week. (Referring to a defective automobile.)
  • He lit up a stinker that filled the room with a terrible smell. (Referring to a foul-smelling cigar.)
  • Don't trust him; he's a complete stinker who lies to everyone. (Referring to a contemptible person.)

Advanced Usage

• "to write someone a stinker": to write someone a very angry, critical, or insulting letter.
  • After the argument, she wrote him a real stinker.
• "a real stinker of a problem/day": used informally to describe a very difficult or unpleasant situation or period of time.
  • We've got a real stinker of a problem to solve.
  • Monday was a real stinker of a day.

Variants and Related Words

• Stink (verb/noun): to smell very bad; a strong, unpleasant smell.
  • That garbage stinks.
  • What's that awful stink?
• Stinky (adjective): having a strong, unpleasant smell.
  • Take off your stinky socks.

Synonyms

• For a defective item: lemon, clunker, dud.
• For a foul-smelling thing: reeker, smelly thing.
• For a contemptible person: rotter, jerk, bum, rat, git (UK), scoundrel.

Related Idioms

• "A stinker of a...": a very bad example of something.
  • That was a stinker of a movie.
• "Drop a stinker": (slang) to fart.
  • Who dropped a stinker in here?

Noun

1. an artifact (especially an automobile) that is defective or unsatisfactory
2. anything that gives off an offensive odor (especially a cheap cigar)
3. a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible
   • only a rotter would do that
   • kill the rat
   • throw the bum out
   • you cowardly little pukes!
   • the British call a contemptible person a `git'