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Synonyms

funky

1 American  
[fuhng-kee] / ˈfʌŋ ki /

adjective

funkier, funkiest

  1. overcome with great fear; terrified.

funky 2 American  
[fuhng-kee] / ˈfʌŋ ki /

adjective

funkier, funkiest

  1. Jazz. having an earthy, blues-based quality or character.

  2. having an offensive smell; evil-smelling; foul.

funky 1 British  
/ ˈfʌŋkɪ /

adjective

  1. (of music) passionate, soulful; of or pertaining to funk

  2. authentic; earthy

  3. stylish and exciting; cool

    funky jeans
"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
funky 2 British  
/ ˈfʌŋkɪ /

adjective

  1. slang evil-smelling; foul

"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

Other Word Forms

  • funkily adverb
  • funkiness noun

Etymology

Origin of funky1

First recorded in 1830–40; funk 1 + -y 1

Origin of funky2

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10; funk 2 + -y 1

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.

However, there are several pops of color throughout the home, including a large pink couch in one of the living areas, as well as funky yellow-and-green tile in a bathroom.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

On Tuesday, he played at TGL, the funky hybrid of simulator play and live action golf, where he looked almost like his old self.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

Steve Borthwick is a more funky selector than he is often given credit for.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

Owens is maximalist in her approach, tossing out anything that to her seems funky or confusing or too coincidental, even when they lead to theories that contradict one another.

From Slate • Feb. 27, 2026

To be a man, a doer, a builder, a leader, or to be a tool, an unfunny joke, a crusher of funky toadstools.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

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.