funky

¹

[fuhng-kee]

adjective

funkier, funkiest 

1. overcome with great fear; terrified.

funky

²

[fuhng-kee]

adjective

funkier, funkiest 

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

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

funky

¹

/ ˈfʌŋkɪ /

adjective

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

2. authentic; earthy

3. stylish and exciting; cool

   funky jeans

funky

²

/ ˈfʌŋkɪ /

adjective

1. slang,  evil-smelling; foul

Other Word Forms

• funkily adverb
• funkiness noun

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of funky¹

C20: from _funk ², perhaps alluding to music that was smelly, that is, earthy (like the early blues)

Origin of funky²

C18: from _funk ²

Example Sentences

Perhaps because I associate purple with funky creativity, ChatGPT feels more like playtime now that my text bubbles show up in purple rather than dull office gray.

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He deploys a funky delivery that ends with him throwing the ball from high above his head, an arm slot opposing batters are unaccustomed to facing.

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Early in his freshman year at Clemson, he connected online with a producer, Sxprano, who shared a bunch of beats that ian calls “trap” and “hard” in their “own funky way.”

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In “Sacrament,” Straight turns her singular focus to a handful of nurses camping in a wagon train of funky, sweltering trailers near the hospital they call Our Lady.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The result — funky, richly textured, a little jagged at the edges — set a template later embraced by admirers such as Frank Ocean, SZA and Steve Lacy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• earthy 
• fashionable 
• hip