funky

1 of 2

adjective (1)

ˈfəŋ-kē 

funkier; funkiest

1

US : having an offensive odor : foul

a funky smell

2

music : having the style and feeling of older African American music (such as blues or gospel) or of funk

especially : characterized by rhythmic elements similar to those of funk

a funky beat

3

informal

a

: odd or quaint in appearance or feeling

a funky little restaurant

b

: unconventionally stylish : hip

funky clothes

… lighting gives the … shops and streets a funky prettiness …

—Pauline Kael

funkily adverb

funkiness noun

funky

2 of 2

adjective (2)

: being in a funk : panicky

Synonyms

Adjective (2)

• bizarre
• bizarro
• cranky
• crazy
• curious
• eccentric
• erratic
• far-out
• funny
• kinky
• kooky
• kookie
• odd
• off-kilter
• off-the-wall
• offbeat
• out-of-the-way
• outlandish
• outré
• peculiar
• quaint
• queer
• queerish
• quirky
• remarkable
• rum [chiefly British]
• screwy
• spaced-out
• strange
• wacky
• whacky
• way-out
• weird
• weirdo
• wild

Examples of funky in a Sentence

Adjective (2)

a funky antique shop that reflects the owner's decidedly eccentric taste

a funky pair of old socks lying on the locker room floor

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Owens once mused that he’ll probably be remembered for droopy shorts, long T-shirts and funky sneakers — among menswear designs enthusiastically embraced by hype beasts and tech entrepreneurs. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 25 June 2025

West Elm: Inject some color and fun into your kitchen with funky bowls and seasonal tabletop decor, all for less now. —Averi Baudler, People.com, 24 June 2025

There's a powerful headlight and braking tail-light combo, plus funky colored strip lights that can be customized through a mobile app. —Paul Ridden june 24, New Atlas, 24 June 2025

Now, as the artists and galleries who helped turn Wynwood into Miami’s hippest urban district all but disappear under a tsunami of redevelopment, the Bakehouse Art Complex remains a funky, thriving oasis of creativity. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

funk offensive odor

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

circa 1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

1826, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for funky

• chunky
• hunky
• junkie
• monkey
• spunky

Kids Definition

funky

adjective

ˈfəŋ-kē

1

: having a bad smell

2

: down-to-earth in style and feeling

especially : having the style and feeling of funk

a funky beat

3

informal

a

: odd in appearance or feeling

b

: stylish in an untypical way : hip sense 1

funky clothes