spunk
1spunk
noun \ˈspəŋk\Definition of SPUNK
1
a : a woody tinder : punk b : any of various fungi used to make tinder
3
: spirit, liveliness
Examples of SPUNK
- That little girl has a lot of spunk.
- <had the spunk to overcome a severe physical disability>
Origin of SPUNK
Scottish Gaelic spong sponge, tinder, from Middle Irish spongc, from Latin spongia sponge
First Known Use: 1582
Related to SPUNK
- Synonyms
- backbone, constancy, fiber, grit, grittiness, guts, intestinal fortitude, pluck, fortitude
- Antonyms
- spinelessness
2spunk
intransitive verbDefinition of SPUNK
dialect : to show spirit —usually used with up
First Known Use of SPUNK
1840
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