conk
1[ kongk, kawngk ]
/ kɒŋk, kɔŋk /
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verb (used with object)
to hit or strike on the head.
noun
a blow on the head.
the head.
British. the nose.
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Origin of conk
1First recorded in 1805–15; of obscure origin
Other definitions for conk (2 of 4)
conk2
[ kongk, kawngk ]
/ kɒŋk, kɔŋk /
verb (used without object) Slang.
to break or fail, as a machine or engine (often followed by out): The engine conked out halfway there.
to slow down or stop; lose energy (often followed by out).
to go to sleep (usually followed by off or out).
to lose consciousness; faint (usually followed by out).
to die (usually followed by out).
Origin of conk
2First recorded in 1915–20; perhaps imitative of the sound
Other definitions for conk (3 of 4)
conk3
[ kongk, kawngk ]
/ kɒŋk, kɔŋk /
noun Mycology.
the shelflike fruiting body of certain wood-decaying fungi; bracket fungus
Origin of conk
3An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; of obscure origin
OTHER WORDS FROM conk
conky, adjectiveOther definitions for conk (4 of 4)
conk4
[ kongk, kawngk ]
/ kɒŋk, kɔŋk /
noun
a method of chemically straightening the hair.
a hairstyle in which the hair has been chemically straightened and sometimes set into waves.
verb (used with object)
to straighten (kinky hair) by the use of chemicals: to have one's hair conked.
Also process .
Origin of conk
4First recorded in 1940–45; probably shortening and alteration of congolene, alleged to be the name of a hair straightener made from Congo copal
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use conk in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for conk
conk
/ (kɒŋk) slang /
verb
to strike (someone) a blow, esp on the head or nose
noun
a punch or blow, esp on the head or nose
the head or (esp Brit and NZ) the nose
Word Origin for conk
C19: probably changed from conch
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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