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definitions

punky

1
[puhng-kee]
See more synonyms for punky on Thesaurus.com
adjective, punk·i·er, punk·i·est.
  1. of, like, or pertaining to spongy punk.
  2. burning very slowly, as a fire.

Origin of punky

1
An Americanism dating back to 1870–75; punk1 + -y1
Related formspunk·i·ness, noun

punky

2
[puhng-kee]
adjective, punk·i·er, punk·i·est.
  1. Slang. of or like punks or hoodlums.
  2. of, relating to, or characteristic of punk rock, its performers, or its devotees.

Origin of punky

2
punk2 + -y1
Related formspunk·i·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for punky

punk, no-see-um, punkie, punky

Examples from the Web for punky

Contemporary Examples of punky

Historical Examples of punky

  • Only I don't want him to get punky, so he isn't fit to come back when his term is over.

    The Prisoner

    Alice Brown

  • It should always be a dry, sound stick, brash, but not in the least punky.

    Boy Scouts Handbook

    Boy Scouts of America

  • Nevertheless, I knelt to feel the punky stuff under my feet.

    Old Man Savarin and Other Stories

    Edward William Thomson

  • Apparently Punky did, for he muttered, "Aw right," and flecked the ash from his cigar.

    Ann Arbor Tales

    Karl Edwin Harriman

  • All the other meals were satisfactory, though an occasional one was punky.

Word Origin and History for punky
adj.

1872, of wood, from punk (n.1) + -y (2). Related: Punkiness.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper