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Synonyms

kung fu

American  
[kuhng foo, koong] / ˈkʌŋ ˈfu, ˈkʊŋ /

noun

  1. an ancient Chinese method of self-defense by striking blows at vulnerable areas of an attacker's body using fluid movements of the hands and legs.

kung fu British  
/ ˈkʌŋ ˈfuː /

noun

  1. any of various Chinese martial arts, some focusing on unarmed combat, others involving the use of weapons

"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

Etymology

Origin of kung fu

From the Chinese word gōngf ú literally, skill

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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.

Is it possible to Kung fu one’s face and how?

From Seattle Times • Apr. 7, 2019

Kung fu movie star Jackie Chan presented Arellano with the award at the closing ceremony of the festival on Thursday night in the Chinese capital.

From Reuters • Apr. 24, 2015

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.