skunk

[skuhngk]

noun

plural

skunks ,

plural

skunk .

1. a small North American mammal, Mephitis mephitis, of the weasel family, having a black coat with a white, V -shaped stripe on the back, and ejecting a fetid odor when alarmed or attacked.

2. any of several related or similar animals.

3. Informal.,  a thoroughly contemptible person.

4. U.S. Navy Slang.,  an unidentified ship or target.

verb (used with object)

1. Slang.,  to defeat thoroughly in a game, especially while keeping an opponent from scoring.

   The team skunked the favorites in the crucial game.

skunk

/ skʌŋk /

noun

1. any of various American musteline mammals of the subfamily Mephitinae, esp Mephitis mephitis ( striped skunk ), typically having a black and white coat and bushy tail: they eject an unpleasant-smelling fluid from the anal gland when attacked

2. informal,  a despicable person

3. slang,  a strain of cannabis smoked for its exceptionally powerful psychoactive properties

verb

1. slang,  (tr) to defeat overwhelmingly in a game

Word History and Origins

Origin of skunk¹

1625–35, < the Massachusett reflex of Proto-Algonquian *šeka·kwa (derivative of *šek- urinate + -a·kw fox, foxlike animal

Word History and Origins

Origin of skunk¹

C17: from Algonquian; compare Abnaki segākw skunk

Example Sentences

The longer it baked, the more it smelled like a wet dog that had recently encountered an angry skunk, and the terrible odor lingered for days afterward.

Read more on Literature

“It goes to show you: You get into a tinkle contest with a skunk, you get tinkle all over you. It’s like a manhood thing with him — as if manhood can be associated with him.”

Read more on Salon

It turns out skunks can be quite hospitable.

Read more on Literature

In California, skunks, raccoon and bats are more likely to carry the disease, which attacks the brain and spinal cord.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There’s a proud skunk owner from Atlanta, a pizza deliveryman from San Bernardino and a bill collector from Denver given a bum steer while tracing a debt.

Read more on Los Angeles Times