funk

¹ American  

[fuhngk] / fʌŋk /

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.

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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 American  

[fuhngk] / fʌŋk /

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.

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Funk ³ American  

[foongk, fuhngk] / fʊŋk, fʌŋk /

noun

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

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Funk ¹ British  

/ fʌŋk /

noun

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

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funk ² British  

/ fʌŋk /

noun

1. slang a strong foul odour

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funk ³ British  

/ fʌŋk /

noun

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

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funk ⁴ British  

/ fʌŋk /

noun

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

2. a coward

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verb

1. to flinch from (responsibility) through fear

2. (tr; usually passive) to make afraid

Funk Scientific  

/ fŭngk,fo̅o̅ngk /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• funker noun

Etymology

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 funk¹

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

Example Sentences

Industries that created lots of jobs a few years ago, such as real estate and education, are in a funk after a property bubble popped and Beijing launched a regulatory crackdown on the private sector.

From The Wall Street Journal

He returned and reached out in August, where he again found me in quite a funk.

From Los Angeles Times

His music may sit comfortably under the R&B umbrella, but he bends and flips genres with ease, especially rock and funk.

From Los Angeles Times

In what may or may not be a hint at the identity of one of the special guests, funk legend George Clinton narrates the clip.

From Los Angeles Times

The playlist was likely a mix of J-Lo, Brazilian funk, 50 Cent and Eminem — I’m not proud of all my selections.

From Los Angeles Times