monk

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈməŋk 

: a man who is a member of a religious order and lives in a monastery

also : friar

monk

2 of 2

noun (2)

: monkey

Examples of monk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Victor Wembanyama is due for more sessions with those Shaolin monks. —Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026

Authorities added that the victim's mother has also been arrested for aiding and abetting the monk. —CBS News, 11 May 2026

And while his parents and friends encourage him to enjoy the spoils of his status, Pulisic parties like a monk. —Sean Gregory, Time, 7 May 2026

At the ceremony, Gabi pressed its palms together in a prayer gesture and bowed alongside monks and nuns in the temple courtyard. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English munuc, from Late Latin monachus, from Late Greek monachos, from Greek, adjective, single, from monos single, alone

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1841, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing monk

• monk parakeet
• monk's cloth
• monk seal

Rhymes for monk

• bunk
• chunk
• clunk
• drunk
• dunk
• hunk
• junk
• punk
• shrunk
• slunk
• spunk
• sunk

Kids Definition

monk

noun

ˈməŋk

: a member of a religious community made up of men who agree to give up worldly life, remain poor and unmarried, and obey all laws of their community

monkish

ˈməŋ-kish

adjective

Biographical Definition

Monk

biographical name

ˈməŋk 

Thelonious Sphere 1920–1982 American jazz musician