stink like a polecat

verb

To have a bad smell, mostly referring to human body odor.

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Meanings

verbstink like a polecat (third-person singular simple present stinks like a polecat, present participle stinking like a polecat, simple past stank like a polecat, past participle stunk like a polecat)

present singular third person stinks like a polecat · participle present stinking like a polecat · past stank like a polecat · participle past stunk like a polecat

  1. derogatoryslangsimileTo have a bad smell, mostly referring to human body odor.

Origin

Due to the European polecat ejecting a foul-smelling secretion.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Dutch stinken als een bunzing, stinken als een beer
  • stinken als een bunzingTranslations
  • stinken als een beerTranslations
German stinken wie ein Iltis
  • stinken wie ein IltisTranslations
Polish śmierdzieć
  • śmierdziećTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

stink like a polecat. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/stink%20like%20a%20polecat

MLA

“stink like a polecat.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/stink%20like%20a%20polecat. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “stink like a polecat,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/stink%20like%20a%20polecat.

Source: stink like a polecat on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.