funky
1 Americanadjective
adjective
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Jazz. having an earthy, blues-based quality or character.
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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
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.
People love ramps for their distinctive flavor profile—savory, funky, intense—but also their versatility.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
He was in our world but not of it, sent down to carry revelations of new ways to be funky, freaky and free.
From Salon • Apr. 21, 2026
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
“Let Me Roll It” had a funky swagger, while “Getting Better” chugged with cheerful insistence; “I’ve Just Seen a Face” showed off the group’s crisp harmonies and “Lady Madonna” its tight rhythmic interplay.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026
The apartment smells funky because we forgot to take out the garbage before we left.
From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez
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.
