kung fu

noun

ˌkəŋ-ˈfü  ˌku̇ŋ- 

: any of various Chinese martial arts and related disciplines that are practiced especially for self-defense, exercise, and spiritual growth

Examples of kung fu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dilraba Dilmurat plays the team’s star striker, while Lay Zhang serves as its kung fu mentor, helping the players combine martial arts mastery with soccer skills to overcome formidable opponents and setbacks on and off the field. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

The release also included the Clot Qi Flow, which was inspired by the movement of kung fu. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026

Edwards was particularly drawn to Wu-Tang’s incorporation of kung fu movies and other cinematic elements into its music and identity. — Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

Their movements are sometimes like gymnastics, sometimes like folk dances, sometimes like kung fu, sometimes like disco. — Jonathan Flint, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Chinese (Beijing) gōngfu skill, art

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for kung fu

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

kung fu

noun

ˌkəŋ-ˈfü  ˌku̇ŋ- 

: a Chinese art of self-defense resembling karate