The verb to stink · Conjugation
Past Simple of stink
The answer: stank
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to stink is stank.
Example: The bin stank.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | stank |
| You | stank |
| He / She / It | stank |
| We | stank |
| You (pl.) | stank |
| They | stank |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Stinked ❌
Same pattern as drink / drank / drunk: stink → stank → stunk. Never stinked.
2. Smell or stink?
Stink is stronger and more negative than smell. The kitchen smells of fish (neutral). The kitchen stinks! (very bad).
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of stink?+
Stank (standard) or stunk (US). The past participle is stunk. Same pattern as drink → drank → drunk.
Is it stink or smell bad?+
Smell bad is neutral; stink is stronger and negative. Your feet smell. Your feet stink!
What does this stinks mean?+
Figuratively, this stinks means this is terrible. The deal stinks means the deal is very bad or dishonest. It is very informal and spoken.
What does stinky mean?+
Stinky (informal adjective) = with a very bad smell. Stinky cheese.
Is it stank or stinked?+
Stink is irregular: stank / stunk. Same i → a → u pattern as drink / drank / drunk.
Related pages: stink Past Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/stink/past-simple
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.
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More forms of the verb to stink are coming soon.