funky
1 Americanadjective
-
funkier,
comparative
-
funkiest
superlative
adjective
-
funkier,
comparative
-
funkiest
superlative
-
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.
See Examples For:
I met Helena Lunardelli, the co-owner of Caju, a colorful, quirky concept store selling funky international fashion and vintage Portuguese decor.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
I love salty, earthy, nutty and bittersweet toppings, like nut butters, funky cheeses and dark chocolate.
From Salon ● Jul. 20, 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
The documentary also features bright colors, funky music and an often jaunty tone.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2026
But it had been a long time since I had to get funky.
From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds
While the exterior features a very traditional red brick facade, the interior follows a much funkier black-and-white theme that carries throughout the majority of the main living spaces.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 22, 2026
It’s a return to their powers, now funkier than ever.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 17, 2024
Cheeses made from that particular strain, however, would be slightly funkier and vary in appearance.
From Salon ● Feb. 20, 2024
When it came to power in 2021, after 16 years of Angela Merkel's conservative-led government, the new coalition promised a younger, funkier, more liberal Germany.
From BBC ● Apr. 12, 2023
It is funkier and grittier than the others that precede it, no doubt because of the chemistry that existed between Williams, the bassist Ronnie Boykins and the legendary drummer Roy Haynes.
From New York Times ● Apr. 5, 2023
Try to find an ensemble, from the staunchest to the funkiest, that hasn’t gotten into the act.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 28, 2022
“She was just the funkiest, silliest, most wonderful person,” said Giffen, who remembered talking with Olds about a customer complaint Monday.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 25, 2021
In my roaming, I discovered North Arlington’s wildest house, North Arlington’s funkiest address numbers, and North Arlington’s coolest mailbox:
From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2020
This time it concerns the funkiest Triple Crown season yet hatched and whether a potential Triple Crown winner ought to get listed forever with the spriggy little dot.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 19, 2020
Morality is mostly funk, and I think you’re the funkiest man I ever came across in my travels.
From Within the Tides by Joseph Conrad
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.
