How to Say “Stink” in Latin

By Lynette Sylvia • Updated October 6, 2026

foetēre

The Latin for "to stink" is foetēre, "to have a foul smell".

foetet means "it stinks". The verb olēre means "to smell" in general and can describe a pleasant scent as well as a bad one.

Meaning: have a strong bad smell (verb)

Related words

How does it change in a sentence?

foeteō, foetēre is a second-conjugation verb: foetet, "it stinks", foetent, "they stink".

How do you pronounce it?

foy-TAY-reh

Did you know?

English "fetid" comes from Latin foetidus, "stinking", the adjective of foetēre.

Examples in context

Hic locus foetet.
This place stinks.
Hic piscis foetet.
This fish stinks.
Calceī tuī foetent!
Your shoes stink!

Example conversation

Two brothers clean the kitchen.

Claudia

Quid hīc foetet?
What stinks in here?
Marcus

Piscis vetus est.
It is old fish.
Claudia

Ēice eum statim!
Throw it out right away!
Marcus

Iam ēiciō.
I am throwing it out now.

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About The Author

Lynette Sylvia

Hi there, I'm Lynette! Latin language enthusiast and lifelong learner with a penchant for taking up diverse challenges. My pursuits range from deciphering Latin words like 'Arc' and 'Beast', to explaining how to articulate complex phrases like 'Light of Darkness'. A true logophile at heart, I admit my guilty pleasure to be translating contemporary slangs into this ancient language (Yes, I discovered how to say 'Nincompoop'). When I'm not engrossed in linguistic pursuits, you'll most likely find me lost in mythical tales, my love for which extends to my enrapturement of mermaids and goddesses. Vivamus magna justo (Let's live greatly).

Lynette SylviaHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

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