skunk

American  

[skuhngk] / skʌŋk /

noun

skunks, plural skunk plural

1. a small North American mammal, Mephitis mephitis, of the weasel family, having a black coat with a white, V -shaped stripe on the back, and ejecting a fetid odor when alarmed or attacked.

2. any of several related or similar animals.

3. Informal. a thoroughly contemptible person.

4. U.S. Navy Slang. an unidentified ship or target.

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verb (used with object)

1. Slang. to defeat thoroughly in a game, especially while keeping an opponent from scoring.

   The team skunked the favorites in the crucial game.

skunk British  

/ skʌŋk /

noun

1. any of various American musteline mammals of the subfamily Mephitinae, esp Mephitis mephitis ( striped skunk ), typically having a black and white coat and bushy tail: they eject an unpleasant-smelling fluid from the anal gland when attacked

2. informal a despicable person

3. slang a strain of cannabis smoked for its exceptionally powerful psychoactive properties

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verb

1. slang (tr) to defeat overwhelmingly in a game

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• skunk
  plural
• skunks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of skunk

1625–35, < the Massachusett reflex of Proto-Algonquian *šeka·kwa (derivative of *šek- urinate + -a·kw fox, foxlike animal

Explanation

A skunk is a small black and white animal that defends itself with a stinky fluid when it feels threatened. Skunks are fairly common, even in suburban and urban places. Skunks are about the same size as cats, with stripes and fluffy tails. They're usually black and white but occasionally gray or brown. If your dog has ever met a skunk face-to-face, or startled one, you know how powerful a skunk's smell can be. It's an odor that's hard to get rid of — and it's strong enough to keep predators like bears far away. Skunk most likely comes from an Abenaki root.

Example Sentences

"It's going to be with Alanis Morissette, Skunk Anansie, and Sierra Ferrell who are three of my favourite acts all on the same line up."

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2026

Many in the Defense Department didn’t realize that Johnson’s streamlined, entrepreneurial management style at the Skunk Works was the reason it produced results, often at lower costs than other more-audited defense programs.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

According to the environmental study, the preferred location is an area known as Skunk Camp, which is adjacent to other mining operations to the southeast.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 14, 2023

Suggestions from the BLM included incorporating more robust information about the effects the mine would have on groundwater, and the stabilization of the tailings dam in Skunk Camp, a river located southeast of the mine.

From Salon • May 25, 2023

"Uncle Tony will probably ask Skunk to help out with some stuff since he ain't working."

From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds