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Mr. Tom Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

The use of "reek": His breath reeked of tobacco.

Hi

Could you please tell me how common/natural is the use of "reek" in everyday English?

His breath reeked of tobacco.

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

Far more common than "redound"! I'd say that's pretty common.

— BarbaraPA

  • Far more common than "redound"!
  • I'd say that's pretty common.
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6 Answers
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Far more common than "redound"! Emotion: wink

I'd say that's pretty common.
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Grammar GeekFar more common than "redound"!


No arguments from me.
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Reek is a little slangy. More common for younger people to use it.
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Really? I don't find it so.
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It only becomes slangy when used hyperbolically. Teenagers are indeed fond of saying "You reek!" when they really mean "You smell a little."

When used to describe something that truly reeks, I don't considerate it slang. I wouldn't be surprised to find a sentence like Mr. Tom's in a Booker-Prize-winning novel.
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Yeah, I agree.

"Oh man, that reeks!" as a way of saying "that is a very unpleasant situation" (like I say "Well, that stinks!") is slang.

His breath reeked of alcohol with a top note of tobacco -- not slangy at all!
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