funk

[ fuhngk ]

See synonyms for funk on Thesaurus.com

noun

cowering fear; state of great fright or terror.
a dejected mood: He's been in a funk ever since she walked out on him.

verb (used with object)

British. to shrink from; try to shirk: We can only say that the government has funked its responsibility.

verb (used without object)

British. to shrink or quail in fear: He funked at nothing, and could lick every boy in the neighborhood.

Origin of funk

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

Other words from funk

funker, noun

Words Nearby funk

Other definitions for funk (2 of 3)

funk²

[ fuhngk ]

noun

Jazz. music having a funky quality: Let's set aside our music exercises for now and get down to some real funk.
a strong, earthy smell; stench: That is some serious funk coming from the compost pile.

the state or quality of being funky.

Origin of funk

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

Other definitions for Funk (3 of 3)

Funk

[ foongk, fuhngk ]

noun

Cas·i·mir [kaz-uh-meer], /ˈkæz əˌmɪər/, 1884–1967, U.S. biochemist, born in Poland: discovered thiamine, the first vitamin isolated.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use funk in a sentence

In some ways, this 2020 season, as chaotic as it has become because of the pandemic, has served as an attention-grabbing endeavor for funk.
Maryland’s Jake Funk has become numb to pain so the tumult of 2020 can’t faze him | Emily Giambalvo | December 11, 2020 | Washington Post
Expect to hear vintage funk, deep house, downtempo and Baltimore club bangers — all adding up to the perfect weekend soundtrack, whether you’re on a makeshift dance floor on Friday night or just chilling on your sofa on Wednesday evening.
The best things to do — virtually and in person — while quarantined in the D.C. area | Going Out Guide Staff | October 29, 2020 | Washington Post
A saison might showcase a brettanomyces yeast that carries the funk of a barnyard.
How Hops Became the Star of American Brewing | Christopher Solomon | October 7, 2020 | Outside Online
Three thousand miles away, news of the project’s approval sent Bill Gow, a cattle rancher from southern Oregon, into a lasting funk.
It’s His Land. Now a Canadian Company Gets to Take It. | by Lee van der Voo for ProPublica | October 1, 2020 | ProPublica
The slinky funk song playing in my head screeched to a halt.
When Jesus Freaks Go Bad | Eugene Robinson | August 6, 2020 | Ozy

But along with the cartoon funk is an all-too-real story of police brutality embodied by a horde of evil Pigs.
‘Black Dynamite’ Presents Police Brutality: The Musical | Stereo Williams | January 9, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
The funk legend treats unsuspecting concertgoers to an impromptu show.
Prince Crashes Jazz Show, Produces Greatness | Jack Holmes, The Daily Beast Video | December 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The simultaneously upbeat and sentimental ode to friendship is equal parts funk, trance, pop, and R&B.
The Swedish Queen of Soulful Pop: Mapei Won’t Wait for You to Listen | Caitlin Dickson | October 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But even after the funk of the Bush years dispersed, we were left with a deeper truth.
The Strange World of Political Assassination Fantasies | James Poulos | September 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The soul-funk innovator had some complex and (quite frankly) bizarre political views.
James Brown, Friend of Strom Thurmond and Mentor to Al Sharpton | Asawin Suebsaeng | July 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Little time was lost in bringing the doctors—Anderson, of the man-of-war, and his friend Dr. funk.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 25 (of 25) | Robert Louis Stevenson
While I am by no means prepared to admit that I am what you so pleasingly term "a funk," I readily allow that——'
The Talking Horse | F. Anstey
Suddenly a white funk comes over me and I rush out and into the taxi again.
My Wonderful Visit | Charlie Chaplin
You seem to be taking things coolly, but I don't mind confessing that I'm in a blessed funk.
Masterpieces of Mystery, Vol. 1 (of 4) | Various
The fact is, I let Harry Tristram put me in a funk, you know.
Tristram of Blent | Anthony Hope

British Dictionary definitions for funk (1 of 4)

funk¹

/ (fʌŋk) informal, mainly British /

noun

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

verb

to flinch from (responsibility) through fear
(tr; usually passive) to make afraid

Origin of funk

C18: university slang, perhaps related to funk ²

Derived forms of funk

funker, noun

British Dictionary definitions for funk (2 of 4)

funk²

/ (fʌŋk) /

noun

US slang a strong foul odour

Origin of funk

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

British Dictionary definitions for funk (3 of 4)

funk³

/ (fʌŋk) /

noun

informal a type of polyrhythmic Black dance music with heavy syncopation

Origin of funk

C20: back formation from funky 1

British Dictionary definitions for Funk (4 of 4)

Funk

/ (fʌŋk) /

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for Funk

Funk

[ fŭngk, fōōngk ]

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.

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