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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The funky bright teal color gives off just the right amount of extra warmth while dining alfresco. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025 Wearing a lacy red bodysuit, Lipa brought energy and flair to the funky track, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Daft Punk’s first top 5 hit. Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 17 May 2025 Avoid Wonky Stuff: The settlor in this case did a bunch of funky stuff with the trust assets. Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025 Sip and sample wine while strolling along River Run Village and grooving to the funky beats of talented jazz musicians like Dotsero and Gregory Goodloe. Sarah Kuta, Denver Post, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for funky

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of funky was circa 1680

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Funky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/funky. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on funky

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!