smelly

smell +‎ -y

• enPR: smĕlʹē, IPA^(key): /ˈsmɛli/
• Rhymes: -ɛli

smelly (comparative smellier, superlative smelliest)

1. Having a bad smell.

   She was hesitant to remove her shoes, as her socks were rather smelly.

2. (figuratively) Having a quality that arouses suspicion.

   The detective read the documents and thought, "Something sure is smelly about this case."

3. (figuratively, computing, slang, in extreme programming) Having signs that suggest a design problem; having a code smell.

   That smelly code needs to be refactored.

• (having a bad smell): fetid, foul-smelling, malodorous, rank, stinky (slang), whiffy (slang); see also Thesaurus:malodorous
• (having a quality that arouses suspicion): dodgy (informal), doubtful, dubious, suspect, suspicious

• (having a bad smell): aromatic, fragrant, sweet-smelling
• (having a quality that arouses suspicion): above board, clean

A comical pronunciation of the initials SMLE.

smelly (plural smellies)

1. (firearms, informal) a Short Magazine Lee Enfield rifle or one of its derivatives.

• mysell