funk

¹funk

noun \ˈfəŋk\

Definition of FUNK

: a strong offensive smell

Origin of FUNK

probably ultimately from French dialect (Picard) funquer to give off smoke

First Known Use: 1623

Rhymes with FUNK

bunk, chunk, clunk, drunk, dunk, flunk, gunk, hunk, junk, monk, plunk, punk, skunk, spunk, sunk, thunk, trunk

²funk

verb

Definition of FUNK

intransitive verb

: to become frightened and shrink back

transitive verb

1

: to be afraid of : dread

2

: to shrink from undertaking or facing

First Known Use of FUNK

circa 1739

³funk

noun

Definition of FUNK

1

a : a state of paralyzing fear

b : a depressed state of mind

2

: one that funks : coward

3

: slump 1 <an economic funk> <the team went into a funk>

Origin of FUNK

perhaps from obsolete Dutch dialect (Flanders) fonck

First Known Use: 1743

⁴funk

noun

Definition of FUNK

1

: music that combines elements of rhythm and blues and soul music and that is characterized by a percussive vocal style, static harmonies, and a strong bass line with heavy downbeats

2

: the quality or state of being funky <jeans … have lost much of their funk — Tom Wolfe>

Origin of FUNK

back-formation from ²funky

First Known Use: 1959

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, presto, refrain, riff, segue

Funk

biographical name \ˈfu̇ŋk, ˈfəŋk\

Definition of FUNK

Casimir 1884–1967 Am. (Pol.-born) biochem.

Funk

biographical name \ˈfəŋk\

Definition of FUNK

Isaac Kauffman 1839–1912 Am. editor & publisher