-punk

¹ American  

1. a combining form extracted from cyberpunk used to denote a rebellious, alternative genre or aesthetic in speculative fiction, art, fashion, etc., and added to a word that names its distinctive theme, often a form of technology.

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punk ² American  

[puhngk] / pʌŋk /

noun

1. any prepared substance, usually in stick form, that will smolder and can be used to light fireworks, fuses, etc.

2. dry, decayed wood that can be used as tinder.

3. conk.

4. a spongy substance derived from fungi; amadou; touchwood.

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punk ³ American  

[puhngk] / pʌŋk /

noun

1. Slang.

   1. something or someone worthless or unimportant.

   2. a young ruffian; hoodlum.

   3. an inexperienced youth.

   4. a young male partner of a gay man.

   5. an apprentice, especially in the building trades.

   6. Prison Slang. a passive or submissive male inmate, especially one who is used for sex by another male inmate.

2. punk rock.

3. a style or movement characterized by the adoption of aggressively unconventional and often bizarre or shocking clothing, hairstyles, makeup, etc., and the defiance of social norms of behavior, usually associated with punk rock musicians and fans.

4. a punker.

5. Archaic. a prostitute.

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adjective

1. Informal. poor in quality or condition.

2. of, relating to, or characteristic of punk rock.

   a punk band.

3. pertaining to, characteristic of, or adopting punk styles.

   punk youths; punk hairstyles in various colors.

punk ¹ British  

/ pʌŋk /

noun

1. 1. a youth movement of the late 1970s, characterized by anti-Establishment slogans and outrageous clothes and hairstyles

   2. an adherent of punk

   3. short for punk rock

   4. ( as modifier )

      a punk record

2. an inferior, rotten, or worthless person or thing

3. worthless articles collectively

4. a petty criminal or hoodlum

5. obsolete a young male homosexual; catamite

6. obsolete a prostitute

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adjective

1. inferior, rotten, or worthless

punk ² British  

/ pʌŋk /

noun

1. dried decayed wood that smoulders when ignited: used as tinder

2. any of various other substances that smoulder when ignited, esp one used to light fireworks

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punk Cultural  

1. A type of rock 'n' roll with loud, energetic music and often harsh lyrics criticizing traditional society and culture. It was named after the punks, an anarchistic youth movement that surfaced in Great Britain in the 1970s.

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Other Word Forms

• punkish adjective

Etymology

Origin of punk¹

An Americanism dating back to 1680–90; origin uncertain

Origin of punk¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; of obscure origin; the sense development is apparently “prostitute,” from “catamite,” from “hoodlum”; the adjective “poor in quality” (1896) is unclearly derived and perhaps a distinct word

Example Sentences

We need more of the “punk” aspect — defying authoritarianism, building solidarity networks, leaning into DIY instead of capitalism.

From Salon

True punk, as in the music genre, teaches us about camaraderie and self-expression that challenges the status quo.

From Salon

Police in the United Kingdom revealed this week thatt their investigation into punk act Bob Vylan has ended and the duo would not face charges.

From Salon

The emotional equivalent of a person still rocking a septum piercing long after they stopped listening to punk music.

From Los Angeles Times

‘Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater’ sold millions of copies and introduced a new generation to punk bands like Goldfinger, the Suicide Machines and the Vandals.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bully
• thug