reeks

Reeks is the plural form of reek, a word with two primary senses in English. As a noun, reek denotes a strong, unpleasant odor or the smell produced by decay, fermentation, burning, or other processes. As a verb, to reek means to emit such a smell or to be heavily impregnated with something, as in “the kitchen reeked of garlic” or “the place reeked of smoke.” The phrase “reek of” is common in idiomatic use. The word has Old English and Scots/Germanic roots and historically referred to smoke or vapor.

In geography, the Reeks refers to the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, a mountain range in County Kerry, Ireland. The range is renowned for rugged limestone peaks and is home to Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest peak at about 1,038–1,039 meters. The Reeks are a popular destination for hikers and climbers, offering steep ascents and dramatic alpine scenery. The name “the Reeks” is an informal shortening of the full name.

Other uses: in literature or dialect, reek appears in phrases such as “reek of something,” indicating a strong smell. It can also appear in historical or fictional contexts as a proper noun or nickname, though such uses are less common in standard references. The plural form “reeks” may refer to multiple odors or to the geographic mountain range in place names.