punky

¹

[puhng-kee]

adjective

punkier, punkiest 

1. of, like, or pertaining to spongy punk.

2. burning very slowly, as a fire.

punky

²

[puhng-kee]

adjective

punkier, punkiest 

1. Slang.,  of or like punks punk or hoodlums.

2. of, relating to, or characteristic of punk rock, its performers, or its devotees.

Other Word Forms

• punkiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of punky¹

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75; punk ² + -y ¹

Origin of punky²

punk ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

On stage, the singer is normally a fireball of intensity, screaming punky anthems like Yuk Foo and commanding the spotlight with magnetic charisma.

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However a more reflective and melodic sound emerged, with 2002 release The Remote Part making Idlewild known as much for poetic lyricism as much as punky energy.

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With 18 million views on YouTube, the punky boom-bap “Duh!” from its eponymous release barely had a chance to cool when they announced their latest album ‘‘Ex,” which they released last Friday.

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And the untamed, punky energy of People was the only number where the band were really allowed to cut loose.

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He teed up sets from the punky rapper K.Flay and Cypress Hill’s stoner savant B-Real, who embodied the two strains of L.A.’s response now — righteous fury and indefatigable confidence.

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