spunk
Americannoun
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pluck; spirit; mettle.
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touchwood, tinder, or punk.
noun
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informal courage or spirit
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a slang word for semen
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touchwood or tinder, esp originally made from various spongy types of fungus
-
informal a person, esp male, who is sexually attractive
Usage
The second sense of this word was formerly considered to be taboo, and it was labelled as such in previous editions of Collins English Dictionary . However, it has now become acceptable in speech, although some older or more conservative people may object to its use
Other Word Forms
- spunkily adverb
- spunkless adjective
- spunky adjective
Etymology
Origin of spunk
1530–40; blend of spark 1 and obsolete funk spark, touchwood (cognate with Dutch vonk, German Funke )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Unlike the new kid who’s got spunk and talent, Sonny has the competence to back up his flair.
From Salon • Jun. 30, 2025
Lorelai’s spunk is presented as a secret to her success: Having been a teen mom, she drips with “up by your bootstraps” energy.
From Slate • Apr. 14, 2025
She says, “That’s where you get your spunk and your character,” even though I didn’t grow up there.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2023
That’s a shame for star Naomi Ackie, who gamely embodies Houston’s luminous star power, sharp spunk and, later, world-weary disillusionment.
From Washington Post • Dec. 21, 2022
Margot and Peter are always saying to me, “If I had your spunk and your strength, if I had your drive and unflagging energy, I could...!”
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
