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touchwood or tinder, esp originally made from various spongy types of fungus
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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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of spunk
1530–40; blend of spark 1 and obsolete funk spark, touchwood (cognate with Dutch vonk, German Funke )
Explanation
People with spunk are courageous or determined. If you've got spunk, you'll cheerfully finish a difficult hike even after falling and skinning your knees. If someone has spunk, they have what it takes to continue doing stand-up comedy even when audiences are rude or disinterested. Spunk is what keeps you upbeat and resolute, inspiring you to persevere. Spunk is an informal noun that means "spark" in Scottish, from the Latin word for "sponge," spongia.
Vocabulary lists containing spunk
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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.
Showing plenty of spunk while scoring the game’s first 13 points, the new lineup vaulted the No. 19 Bruins to a 79-48 victory at Pauley Pavilion.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 19, 2025
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
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
The man had character and spunk and Bloom had considered him an attractive original, had always known he was the real McCoy.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
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.
