Rank vs. Smelly — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 31, 2024
Rank often describes something having a strong, unpleasant smell, typically because of decay or stagnation, while smelly is a broader term indicating any noticeable or strong odor, not necessarily unpleasant.
Difference Between Rank and Smelly
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Rank refers to a strong, often overpoweringly unpleasant smell, usually associated with decay, dampness, or other conditions of spoilage. Whereas smelly is a more general adjective that applies to any object, substance, or situation emitting a distinct odor, which can be either unpleasant or simply strong and noticeable.
While rank odors are almost always negative and suggest a level of intensity that can be overwhelming, the term smelly encompasses a wide range of scents, from the mildly unpleasant to the intensely foul. Smelly can also describe strong but not necessarily unpleasant odors, depending on the context and individual perceptions.
Rank is often used in contexts where the smell is so intense that it suggests a need for action, such as cleaning, airing out, or removing the source of the odor. On the other hand, something described as smelly might not require immediate action; it could simply be an observation or a mild inconvenience.
The origins of something being described as rank often lie in natural processes of decay or the presence of bacteria and mold, which produce particularly potent and unpleasant odors. In contrast, smelly things can arise from a variety of sources, both natural and artificial, including food, chemicals, sweat, and smoke.
In terms of usage, rank is a more specific descriptor, suggesting a certain level of extremity in the odor's unpleasantness. Smelly, however, is more versatile and can be used in a variety of situations where an odor is present, making it a more commonly used term in everyday language.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Having a strong, unpleasant smell, often due to decay
Emitting a noticeable odor, not necessarily unpleasant
Intensity
Implies a higher level of intensity
Can range from mild to strong odors
Connotation
Almost always negative and unpleasant
Can be neutral, depending on the context and odor type
Urgency
Suggests a need for immediate action
May not require immediate action
Common Sources
Decay, dampness, bacteria, mold
Food, chemicals, sweat, smoke, among others
Compare with Definitions
Rank
Emitting a strong, unpleasant smell, typically as a result of decay.
The rank odor of the discarded food filled the alley.
Smelly
May simply denote the presence of an odor.
The smelly marker had a strong scent of strawberries.
Rank
Describes an intense level of unpleasantness.
The rank smell in the basement suggested a serious mold problem.
Smelly
Can refer to any level of odor strength.
His room was smelly from the pile of unwashed clothes.
Rank
Often indicates a problem that needs addressing.
They cleaned the refrigerator thoroughly to eliminate the rank smell.
Smelly
A wide variety, including food, people, and animals.
The smelly dog needed a bath after playing outside.
Rank
Decay, mold, and bacteria are typical sources.
The rank dampness of the room was due to a leaking pipe.
Smelly
A versatile term for any distinct odor.
She noticed a smelly scent coming from the kitchen.
Rank
Used when describing extremely unpleasant odors.
The trash can emitted a rank smell after being left out in the sun.
Smelly
Having a noticeable odor, which can be either pleasant or unpleasant.
The smelly cheese was actually quite delicious.
Rank
A relative position in a society.
Smelly
Having a noticeable, usually unpleasant or offensive odor.
Rank
An official position or grade
The rank of sergeant.
Smelly
Having a bad smell.
She was hesitant to remove her shoes, as her socks were rather smelly.
Rank
A relative position or degree of value in a graded group.
Smelly
(figuratively) Having a quality that arouses suspicion.
The detective read the documents and thought, "Something sure is smelly about this case."
Rank
High or eminent station or position
Persons of rank.
Smelly
Having signs that suggest a design problem; having a code smell.
That smelly code needs to be refactored.
Rank
A row, line, series, or range.
Smelly
A Short Magazine Lee Enfield rifle or one of its derivatives.
Rank
A line of soldiers, vehicles, or equipment standing side by side in close order.
Smelly
Offensively malodorous;
A putrid smell
Rank
Ranks The armed forces.
Rank
Ranks Personnel, especially enlisted military personnel.
Rank
Ranks A body of people classed together; numbers
Joined the ranks of the unemployed.
Rank
(Games) Any of the rows of squares running crosswise to the files on a playing board in chess or checkers.
Rank
To place in a row or rows.
Rank
To give a particular order or position to; classify.
Rank
To outrank or take precedence over.
Rank
To hold a particular rank
Ranked first in the class.
Rank
To form or stand in a row or rows.
Rank
To complain.
Rank
To engage in carping criticism. Often used with on
Stop ranking on me all the time.
Rank
Growing profusely or with excessive vigor
Rank vegetation.
Rank
Yielding a profuse, often excessive crop; highly fertile
Rank earth.
Rank
Strong and offensive in odor or flavor
Rank gym clothes.
Rank
Absolute; complete
A rank amateur.
Rank treachery.
Rank
Strong of its kind or in character; unmitigated; virulent; thorough; utter (used of negative things).
Rank treason
Rank nonsense
Rank
Strong in growth; growing with vigour or rapidity, hence, coarse or gross.
Rank grass
Rank weeds
Rank
Suffering from overgrowth or hypertrophy; plethoric.
Rank
Causing strong growth; producing luxuriantly; rich and fertile.
Rank land
Rank
Strong to the senses; offensive; noisome.
Rank
Having a very strong and bad taste or odor.
Your gym clothes are rank, bro – when'd you last wash 'em?
Rank
Complete, used as an intensifier (usually negative, referring to incompetence).
I am a rank amateur as a wordsmith.
Rank
(informal) Gross, disgusting.
Rank
(obsolete) Strong; powerful; capable of acting or being used with great effect; energetic; vigorous; headstrong.
Rank
(obsolete) lustful; lascivious
Rank
(obsolete) Quickly, eagerly, impetuously.
Rank
A row of people or things organized in a grid pattern, often soldiers.
The front rank kneeled to reload while the second rank fired over their heads.
Rank
(chess) One of the eight horizontal lines of squares on a chessboard (i.e., those identified by a number).
Rank
(music) In a pipe organ, a set of pipes of a certain quality for which each pipe corresponds to one key or pedal.
Rank
One's position in a list sorted by a shared property such as physical location, population, or quality.
Based on your test scores, you have a rank of 23.
The fancy hotel was of the first rank.
Rank
The level of one's position in a class-based society.
Rank
(typically in the plural) A category of people, such as those who share an occupation or belong to an organisation.
A membership drawn from the ranks of wealthy European businessmen
Rank
A hierarchical level in an organization such as the military.
Private First Class (PFC) is the second-lowest rank in the Marines.
He rose up through the ranks of the company, from mailroom clerk to CEO.
Rank
(taxonomy) A level in a scientific taxonomy system.
Phylum is the taxonomic rank below kingdom and above class.
Rank
(mathematics) The dimensionality of an array (computing) or tensor.
Rank
(linear algebra) The maximal number of linearly independent columns (or rows) of a matrix.
Rank
(algebra) The maximum quantity of D-linearly independent elements of a module (over an integral domain D).
Rank
(mathematics) The size of any basis of a given matroid.
Rank
To place abreast, or in a line.
Rank
To have a ranking.
Their defense ranked third in the league.
Rank
To assign a suitable place in a class or order; to classify.
Rank
(US) To take rank of; to outrank.
Rank
Luxuriant in growth; of vigorous growth; exuberant; grown to immoderate height; as, rank grass; rank weeds.
And, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
Rank
Raised to a high degree; violent; extreme; gross; utter; as, rank heresy.
Rank
Causing vigorous growth; producing luxuriantly; very rich and fertile; as, rank land.
Rank
Strong-scented; rancid; musty; as, oil of a rank smell; rank-smelling rue.
Rank
Strong to the taste.
Rank
Inflamed with venereal appetite.
Rank
Rankly; stoutly; violently.
That rides so rank and bends his lance so fell.
Rank
A row or line; a range; an order; a tier; as, a rank of osiers.
Many a mountain nighRising in lofty ranks, and loftier still.
Rank
A line of soldiers ranged side by side; - opposed to file. See 1st File, 1 (a).
Fierce, fiery warriors fought upon the clouds,In ranks and squadrons and right form of war.
Rank
Grade of official standing, as in the army, navy, or nobility; as, the rank of general; the rank of admiral.
Rank
An aggregate of individuals classed together; a permanent social class; an order; a division; as, ranks and orders of men; the highest and the lowest ranks of men, or of other intelligent beings.
Rank
Degree of dignity, eminence, or excellence; position in civil or social life; station; degree; grade; as, a writer of the first rank; a lawyer of high rank.
These all are virtues of a meaner rank.
Rank
Elevated grade or standing; high degree; high social position; distinction; eminence; as, a man of rank.
Rank
To place abreast, or in a line.
Rank
To range in a particular class, order, or division; to class; also, to dispose methodically; to place in suitable classes or order; to classify.
Ranking all things under general and special heads.
Poets were ranked in the class of philosophers.
Heresy is ranked with idolatry and witchcraft.
Rank
To take rank of; to outrank.
Rank
To be ranged; to be set or disposed, as in a particular degree, class, order, or division.
Let that one article rank with the rest.
Rank
To have a certain grade or degree of elevation in the orders of civil or military life; to have a certain degree of esteem or consideration; as, he ranks with the first class of poets; he ranks high in public estimation.
Rank
A row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another;
The entrance was guarded by ranks of policemen
Rank
Relative status;
His salary was determined by his rank and seniority
Rank
The ordinary members of an organization (such as the enlisted soldiers of an army);
The strike was supported by the union rank and file
He rose from the ranks to become a colonel
Rank
Position in a social hierarchy;
The British are more aware of social status than Americans are
Rank
The body of members of an organization or group;
They polled their membership
They found dissension in their own ranks
He joined the ranks of the unemployed
Rank
Take or have a position relative to others;
This painting ranks among the best in the Western World
Rank
Assign a rank or rating to;
How would you rank these students?
The restaurant is rated highly in the food guide
Rank
Take precedence or surpass others in rank
Rank
Very fertile; producing profuse growth;
Rank earth
Rank
Very offensive in smell or taste;
A rank cigar
Rank
Conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible;
A crying shame
An egregious lie
Flagrant violation of human rights
A glaring error
Gross ineptitude
Gross injustice
Rank treachery
Rank
Complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers;
Absolute freedom
An absolute dimwit
A downright lie
Out-and-out mayhem
An out-and-out lie
A rank outsider
Many right-down vices
Got the job through sheer persistence
Sheer stupidity
Rank
Growing profusely;
Rank jungle vegetation
Common Curiosities
Can a pleasant smell ever be described as rank?
No, rank is used exclusively for strong, unpleasant smells.
What causes a rank smell?
Rank smells are typically caused by decay, bacteria, mold, or other processes of spoilage.
What is the main difference between rank and smelly?
Rank specifically refers to an intense, often unpleasant smell due to decay or spoilage, while smelly denotes any noticeable odor, not necessarily unpleasant.
Can the term smelly be used in a positive context?
Yes, it can be used to describe strong but not unpleasant odors, like certain foods or perfumes, depending on individual preferences.
Is smelly always a negative term?
Not always; while it often refers to unpleasant odors, it can describe any strong scent, even pleasant ones, depending on context.
How do people typically react to rank smells?
Rank smells often evoke strong negative reactions and a desire to remove or escape from the source of the odor.
What can be done to eliminate a rank odor?
Removing the source of the odor, thorough cleaning, and ventilation are common methods to eliminate rank smells.
Do all cultures react the same way to rank smells?
Reactions to rank smells are generally negative, but cultural differences can affect perceptions of what is considered rank or merely smelly.
Can animals be attracted to rank smells?
Yes, some animals are attracted to rank smells, often because they indicate food or the presence of certain materials they can use.
Is it common for smells to move from smelly to rank?
Yes, as an odor intensifies or as substances decay, what may initially be described as smelly can become rank.
Can cleaning products have a smelly odor?
Yes, cleaning products can emit strong chemical odors that some might describe as smelly, depending on their strength and the individual's sensitivity.
Are there any benefits to smelly substances?
Some smelly substances, like certain cheeses or fermented foods, are valued for their flavors and nutritional benefits despite their strong odors.
Is it easier to get used to a smelly or a rank odor?
It might be easier to acclimate to a smelly odor since it can be less intense and not necessarily unpleasant, unlike the typically overpowering nature of rank odors.
How do people use the term smelly in everyday language?
Smelly is a common term used to describe any noticeable odor in casual conversation, ranging from the scent of foods to body odor.
What are some examples of smelly but popular foods?
Foods like durian, blue cheese, and fermented fish are known for their strong odors but are considered delicacies in various cultures.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Cloud vs. Blur
Next Comparison
Association vs. InstitutionAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
