stink eye: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Common in informal American English; moderate in British English in casual contexts.Informal, slang.
Quick answer
What does “stink eye” mean?
A facial expression that conveys disapproval, disdain, or hostility.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A facial expression that conveys disapproval, disdain, or hostility.
Can imply a silent but potent expression of contempt, often used informally to describe a look that induces discomfort or signals annoyance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More entrenched in American English; British English may prefer 'dirty look' or 'filthy look' with similar meaning.
Connotations
In both varieties, it denotes negativity, but American usage is more widespread in popular culture.
Frequency
High frequency in American casual speech; lower but understood in British English, especially among younger speakers.
Grammar
How to Use “stink eye” in a Sentence
give NP the stink eyeget the stink eye from NPVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stink eye” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was given the stink eye by his neighbour.
American English
- She stink-eyed him after he interrupted.
adjective
British English
- The stink eye look was unmistakable.
American English
- He had a stink-eye expression all day.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; considered unprofessional and inappropriate.
Academic
Not used in formal writing or scholarly discourse.
Everyday
Frequent in informal conversations, especially among peers or in social settings.
Technical
Not applicable in technical fields.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stink eye”
- Using 'stink eye' in formal situations.
- Incorrect preposition usage, e.g., 'give stink eye to someone' instead of 'give someone the stink eye'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is strictly informal and should be avoided in formal contexts.
Yes, in American informal usage, 'to stink-eye' means to give a disapproving look, though it's less common in British English.
Often in social interactions to express annoyance, such as when someone is late, rude, or makes a mistake.
'Stink eye' is more casual and implies personal disapproval, while 'evil eye' can have superstitious or cultural connotations of causing harm.
A facial expression that conveys disapproval, disdain, or hostility.
Stink eye: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɪŋk ˌaɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɪŋk ˌaɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “give the evil eye”
- “shoot daggers with one's eyes”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone's eye emitting a bad smell (stink) when they're angry, linking the look to an unpleasant odor.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISAPPROVAL IS A FOUL ODOR; the expression metaphorically maps negative visual communication to the sensory experience of a bad smell.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'stink eye'?