spunk
Americannoun
-
spunks
plural
-
pluck; spirit; mettle.
-
touchwood, tinder, or punk.
noun
-
informal courage or spirit
-
a slang word for semen
-
touchwood or tinder, esp originally made from various spongy types of fungus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
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
Five Feet Apart
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Heat
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
More to the Story
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
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
Here two dancers costumed as the critters cleverly act the tale, and they continue to devilishly pop up throughout, adding needed fanciful color and spunk.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 28, 2024
Indeed, Kansara plays Ria with spunk and a youthful vigor that makes it hard not to reminisce on one's own adolescent years.
From Salon ● Apr. 29, 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
Then some person invented strips of wood dipped in sulphur and called "spunks."
From Home Life in Colonial Days by Alice Morse Earle
The Advocate, who is not without some spunks of a remainder decency, has wrung your life-safe out of Simon and the Duke.
From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 11 (of 25) by Robert Louis Stevenson
She spunks up and her eyes sparkles whenever she thinks about that there tobaccer trust.
From Danny's Own Story by Don Marquis
The Advocate, who is not without some spunks of a remainder decency, has wrung your life-safe out of Symon and the Duke.
But I ain't got to the wonders none as yet,' reemonstrates the Colonel, who spunks up a bit peevish for him.
From Wolfville Nights by Alfred Henry Lewis
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
