stinkball: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely Rare / Obsolete (Historical); Low (Contemporary Informal)Historical / Technical (for the weapon); Very Informal, Colloquial, Slang (for modern metaphorical use).
Quick answer
What does “stinkball” mean?
A type of foul-smelling projectile or explosive device, historically used in naval warfare, siege warfare, or as an improvised weapon.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of foul-smelling projectile or explosive device, historically used in naval warfare, siege warfare, or as an improvised weapon.
In contemporary informal usage, can refer to any object that emits a terrible smell, a prank device, or metaphorically to a situation, idea, or person that is highly unpleasant or offensive.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The historical term is equally archaic in both varieties. Modern figurative usage is possible in both but is non-standard and likely understood only contextually. No significant regional preference.
Connotations
Humorous, childish, or deliberately crude when used figuratively. The historical term is neutral within its technical context.
Frequency
Virtually never encountered in contemporary speech or writing outside of historical texts or very specific, playful contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “stinkball” in a Sentence
[Subject] threw a stinkball.The meeting was a real stinkball.It smells like a stinkball in here.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stinkball” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He's in a right stinkball mood today.
American English
- We're dealing with a stinkball situation at the office.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly unlikely. Only in extreme, jocular metaphor for a disastrous deal or plan.
Academic
Only in historical or military history texts.
Everyday
Virtually never. Potential humorous exaggeration among friends.
Technical
Obsolete term in historical accounts of siege or naval warfare.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stinkball”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stinkball”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stinkball”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it as a common synonym for 'stink bomb'.
- Misspelling as 'stink ball' (open compound is less common for the historical term).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare. It is an obsolete historical term. Any modern use is figurative, informal, and humorous.
No, 'stinkball' is exclusively a noun. The related action would be 'to throw a stinkball' or 'to use stinkballs'.
Historically, a stinkball was a larger, often crude, projectile used in warfare. A stink bomb is a smaller, modern prank device designed for indoor mischief.
Only if you are writing specifically about historical weapons. For all other contexts, it is inappropriate due to its informal, colloquial register.
A type of foul-smelling projectile or explosive device, historically used in naval warfare, siege warfare, or as an improvised weapon.
Stinkball is usually historical / technical (for the weapon); very informal, colloquial, slang (for modern metaphorical use). in register.
Stinkball: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɪŋk.bɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɪŋk.bɑːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"That proposal is a real stinkball" (a very bad idea).”
- “"He's thrown a stinkball into the negotiations" (caused major disruption/offence).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a ball that STINKs. A cannonball made of stink.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN UNPLEASANT THING/IDEA/SITUATION IS A FOUL-SMELLING PROJECTILE.
Practice
Quiz
In modern informal English, calling a plan 'a stinkball' primarily means it is: