funky
1 Americanadjective
adjective
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Jazz. having an earthy, blues-based quality or character.
-
having an offensive smell; evil-smelling; foul.
adjective
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(of music) passionate, soulful; of or pertaining to funk
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authentic; earthy
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stylish and exciting; cool
funky jeans
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Adjectives
Etymology
Origin of funky1
First recorded in 1830–40; funk 1 + -y 1
Origin of funky2
Explanation
Something that's funky has a strong musical rhythm or beat, and a deep bluesy sound. You might practice some funky bass lines before auditioning for your school's jazz band. Funky tunes have some of the spirit of the 1960s-era music genre called funk, a branch of R&B that's influenced by soul and jazz music. Rhythm is so important in funky music that the drums and bass are emphasized, melody less so. Based on this cool music, funky also means "stylish" or "hip:" "Mom, those pants are totally funky." The word's original meaning, however, was "stinky," specifically when discussing the smell of aged cheese.
Vocabulary lists containing funky
A Good Kind of Trouble
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With the Fire on High
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Words for Cheese Writers
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Cowell’s “Abstrusions,” which opens both releases, was a compact and funky three minutes and 38 seconds on the original.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026
In her latest album, “The Boutique,” Zinadelphia is a funky jazz, indie-pop goddess.
From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026
The area felt fun and funky, but I was only passing through, determined to get to my next destination.
From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026
The singer also made good use out of her space bedrooms, with one utilized as a music room, complete with a funky patterned couch, a keyboard, and a drum kit.
From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026
Open Mike Friday is today and I am not about to stand in front of the class in some funky old outfit.
From "Bronx Masquerade" by Nikki Grimes
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
