zonk

American  

[zongk, zawngk] / zɒŋk, zɔŋk /

verb (used without object)

1. to become unconscious from alcohol or narcotic drugs; pass out.

2. to fall soundly asleep or relax completely.

   I've got to go home and zonk out.

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verb (used with object)

1. to stupefy, as by alcohol or narcotic drugs.

2. to sedate or anesthetize.

   If the pain gets too bad the doctors will zonk you.

3. to strike or defeat soundly; knock out; clobber.

Etymology

Origin of zonk

First recorded in 1945–50; of expressive origin; -onk perhaps copies conk ²

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Explanation

To zonk is to hit someone hard, the way the mouse zonks the cat in his head over and over in the classic cartoon Tom and Jerry. The verb zonk started as a slang term inspired by the sound that might result from bashing or clobbering someone. It's also used to describe the stupefied or stunned result of being zonked in the head: "He'll zonk out for a while after getting tackled in the football game." Or you can use it for something that stops working abruptly: "My laptop zonked out, so I couldn't do the homework!"

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

zonk

And zonk it is, indeed; “Date Night” is an exhilarating, high-velocity, uplifting song with a surprisingly singable chorus.

From Salon ● Sep. 22, 2026

I try to center myself before I zonk out.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 21, 2025

“She’ll zonk out in front of her computer,” her mother, Marilyn Dayton, said, “and I’ll have to wake her.”

From Washington Post ● Mar. 18, 2021

Try that and some chamomile tea and you’ll really zonk out.

From Slate ● Jun. 26, 2018

And when you go to bed that night, the last thing you see before you zonk out are those eyes, and the last thing on your face is a smile.

From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli

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