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.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
Origin of conk
1First recorded in 1805–15; of obscure origin
Definition 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
Definition 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, adjectiveDefinition 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for conk
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
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