Definition

A type of tree found in southern Africa that has a strong, unpleasant smell and produces hard wood used for making furniture.

Example

The carpenter chose stinkwood for the new cabinets because of its durability.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of stinkwood?

Yeah, I think it's that tree with the really strong smell, right?

Exactly! They use the wood for furniture, but the odor can be quite off-putting.

True, but I’ve heard it’s really durable and great for cabinetmaking.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Stinkwood originates from the combination of 'stink' (from Old English 'stincan', meaning to emit a strong odor) and 'wood' (from Old English 'wudu', meaning a tree or forest). The word refers to a type of wood that emits a strong, unpleasant smell.

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'stink' which means to emit a strong odor, combined with 'wood' which refers to trees. This helps you remember that 'stinkwood' is wood that has a strong, unpleasant smell.

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