funk

¹

[fuhngk]

noun

1. cowering fear; state of great fright or terror.

2. a dejected mood.

   He's been in a funk ever since she walked out on him.

verb (used with object)

1. British.,  to shrink from; try to shirk.

   We can only say that the government has funked its responsibility.

verb (used without object)

1. British.,  to shrink or quail in fear.

   He funked at nothing, and could lick every boy in the neighborhood.

funk

²

[fuhngk]

noun

1. Jazz.,  music having a funky quality.

   Let's set aside our music exercises for now and get down to some real funk.

2. a strong, earthy smell; stench.

   That is some serious funk coming from the compost pile.

3. the state or quality of being funky.

Funk

³

[foongk, fuhngk]

noun

1. Casimir 1884–1967, U.S. biochemist, born in Poland: discovered thiamine, the first vitamin isolated.

funk

¹

/ fʌŋk /

noun

1. Also called: blue funk. a state of nervousness, fear, or depression (esp in the phrase in a funk )

2. a coward

verb

1. to flinch from (responsibility) through fear

2. (tr; usually passive) to make afraid

funk

²

/ fʌŋk /

noun

1. slang,  a strong foul odour

funk

³

/ fʌŋk /

noun

1. informal,  a type of polyrhythmic Black dance music with heavy syncopation

Funk

⁴

/ fʌŋk /

noun

1. Casimir (ˈkæzɪˌmɪə). 1884–1967, US biochemist, born in Poland: studied and named vitamins

Funk

1. Polish-born American biochemist who is credited with the discovery of vitamins. In 1912 he postulated the existence of four organic bases he called vitamines which were necessary for normal health and the prevention of deficiency diseases. He also contributed to the knowledge of the hormones of the pituitary gland and the sex glands.

Other Word Forms

• funker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Funk¹

First recorded in 1735–45; originally Oxford University slang; perhaps from early Dutch dialect (in de) fonck “in difficulties;” further origin unknown

Origin of Funk²

First recorded in 1615–25; perhaps from North French dialect funquier, funquer “give off smoke,” Old North French fungier, from Vulgar Latin fūmicāre, alteration of Latin fūmigāre fumigate

Word History and Origins

Origin of Funk¹

C18: university slang, perhaps related to _funk ²

Origin of Funk²

C17 (in the sense: tobacco smoke): from funk (vb) to smoke (tobacco), probably of French dialect origin; compare Old French funkier to smoke, from Latin fūmigāre

Origin of Funk³

C20: back formation from _funky ¹

Example Sentences

Tom marshals their effectiveness to the best of his ability, but never fully surfaces from his despairing funk.

From Salon

But also, amid a two-month funk that dropped them to second place in the National League West, to not abandon the slugging prowess that makes them who they are.

From Los Angeles Times

Their sweep at Dodger Stadium last week felt like a statement, one that looked to have the club poised to break out of an extended summer funk.

From Los Angeles Times

Below these warnings were eight images of various waterborne funk and deformity, each about as pleasant as an autopsy photo.

From Salon

Mexican chorizo brings deep seasoning, a little funk and the kind of paprika-forward heat that lingers.

From Salon