skunk

American  

[skuhngk] / skʌŋk /

noun

plural

skunks,

plural

skunk

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

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

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

Skunk Train Railbikes, part of a nationwide trend, takes riders past redwoods and river waters in Mendocino County.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2023

The actors all seem to be having fun, especially Keung as the roguish Skunk, but the best part is the way the movie enthusiastically wallows in the excessiveness of the action.

From New York Times • Dec. 22, 2022

He added he had been joined by an "incredible array of drummers", including Skunk Anansie's Mark Richardson.

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2021

But now that Skunk had arrived, it hit me that when I looked out into the stands, Momly wouldn't be there.

From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds