punk
1[ puhngk ]
/ pʌŋk /
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noun
any prepared substance, usually in stick form, that will smolder and can be used to light fireworks, fuses, etc.
dry, decayed wood that can be used as tinder.
a spongy substance derived from fungi; amadou; touchwood.
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The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
Origin of punk
1An Americanism dating back to 1680–90; origin uncertain
Words nearby punk
punitive damages, Punjab, Punjabi, Punjab States, punji stake, punk, punka, punkah, punker, punkie, punkin
Definition for punk (2 of 2)
punk2
[ puhngk ]
/ pʌŋk /
noun
adjective
Origin of punk
2First 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for punk (1 of 2)
punk1
/ (pʌŋk) /
noun
adjective
inferior, rotten, or worthless
Derived forms of punk
punkish, adjectiveWord Origin for punk
C16: via Polari from Spanish pu (n) ta prostitute, pu (n) to male prostitute
British Dictionary definitions for punk (2 of 2)
punk2
/ (pʌŋk) /
noun
dried decayed wood that smoulders when ignited: used as tinder
any of various other substances that smoulder when ignited, esp one used to light fireworks
Word Origin for punk
C18: of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Cultural definitions for punk
punk
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.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.