funked; funking; funks
: to become frightened and shrink back
1
a
: a state of paralyzing fear
b
: a depressed state of mind
3
: slump sense 1
an economic funk
the team went into a funk
1
: music that combines elements of rhythm and blues and soul music and that is characterized by a percussive vocal style, static harmonies, and a strong bass line with heavy downbeats
2
: the quality or state of being funky
jeans … have lost much of their funk—
Tom Wolfe
Tom WolfeSynonyms
Examples of funk in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebJem Aswad, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024
Since as early on as his second album, the underrated 2015 collection The Story of Sonny Boy Slim, Clark has embraced everything from fuzzy rock to funk to Prince-ly psychedelia.
—Joe Gross, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024
But every now and then, Holmes likes to funk with the jeans-and-a-90s-shirt formula.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 9 Aug. 2023
Our playlist also includes some fun, summertime anthems that just scream outdoor party time, so there’s a little something for everyone – songs dating back to the 19th century and more modern tunes ranging from country to funk and pop.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 30 June 2023
As a musician, Dirty Bird’s Afrofuturistic approach to dance music honors the vintage rhythms of jazz and funk through the lenses of house, jungle, and garage.
—Arielle Lana Lejarde, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2022
Though his work still touches on the lo-fi and has a handmade feel, he’s been a restless musical force over the past dozen years, jumping from psychedelic rock to funk to clubby dance music.
—Mark Richardson, WSJ, 25 Apr. 2022
Though hip-hop was clearly the starting point, their songs branched out to funk, pop, R&B, and more.
—Noah Shachtman, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2023
Burgos’ style of dancing is quick, energetic, and liquid, inspired by everything from hip-hop to funk to salsa.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 20 Jan. 2022
Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 5 Apr. 2024
This dog shampoo is designed specifically for those pups with a bit of funk, utilizing natural ingredients to neutralize and deodorize odors, rather than just masking them.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
From the smooth melodies of jazz to the iconic grooves of funk, each performance is a celebration of New Orleans’ musical heritage.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 1 Apr. 2024
On most nights, there are live bands playing various covers from artists like Amy Winehouse or performing jazz, funk, soul and blues music.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024
The meal began with a bowl of tofu and doenjang broth, its narcotic, earthy funk hitting the taste buds like surround sound reaching the ears.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
For Gurira, Michonne’s snap decision was about snapping Rick out of his funk.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2024
The evening ended with the iconic funk band The Bar-Kays bringing everyone to the dance floor for a boogie to celebrate a night of benefaction.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 5 Mar. 2024
The Ghanaian American singer, raised between Atlanta, New Jersey, and Accra, has a unique grasp of many cultures, allowing for a music of osmosis that’s fluid enough to blend punk and baile funk and everything in between.
—The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024
Verb
All three are excellent musicians, but Spear is a marvel, playing with a fluid style that incorporates multiple influences, from rock to African to blues to funk to Duane Eddy twang, with an innate sense of melody that carries the entire band.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024
Since as early on as his second album, the underrated 2015 collection The Story of Sonny Boy Slim, Clark has embraced everything from fuzzy rock to funk to Prince-ly psychedelia.
—Joe Gross, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024
But every now and then, Holmes likes to funk with the jeans-and-a-90s-shirt formula.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 9 Aug. 2023
Our playlist also includes some fun, summertime anthems that just scream outdoor party time, so there’s a little something for everyone – songs dating back to the 19th century and more modern tunes ranging from country to funk and pop.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 30 June 2023
As a musician, Dirty Bird’s Afrofuturistic approach to dance music honors the vintage rhythms of jazz and funk through the lenses of house, jungle, and garage.
—Arielle Lana Lejarde, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2022
Though his work still touches on the lo-fi and has a handmade feel, he’s been a restless musical force over the past dozen years, jumping from psychedelic rock to funk to clubby dance music.
—Mark Richardson, WSJ, 25 Apr. 2022
Though hip-hop was clearly the starting point, their songs branched out to funk, pop, R&B, and more.
—Noah Shachtman, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2023
Burgos’ style of dancing is quick, energetic, and liquid, inspired by everything from hip-hop to funk to salsa.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 20 Jan. 2022
Noun
Yet Khruangbin’s combination of psychedelic rock, soul, and funk is heard everywhere.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 5 Apr. 2024
This dog shampoo is designed specifically for those pups with a bit of funk, utilizing natural ingredients to neutralize and deodorize odors, rather than just masking them.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
From the smooth melodies of jazz to the iconic grooves of funk, each performance is a celebration of New Orleans’ musical heritage.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 1 Apr. 2024
On most nights, there are live bands playing various covers from artists like Amy Winehouse or performing jazz, funk, soul and blues music.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024
The meal began with a bowl of tofu and doenjang broth, its narcotic, earthy funk hitting the taste buds like surround sound reaching the ears.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
For Gurira, Michonne’s snap decision was about snapping Rick out of his funk.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2024
The evening ended with the iconic funk band The Bar-Kays bringing everyone to the dance floor for a boogie to celebrate a night of benefaction.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 5 Mar. 2024
The Ghanaian American singer, raised between Atlanta, New Jersey, and Accra, has a unique grasp of many cultures, allowing for a music of osmosis that’s fluid enough to blend punk and baile funk and everything in between.
—The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'funk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Funk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/funk. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
funk
1 of 4 noun
: a strong bad smell
funk
2 of 4 verb1
: to be or become frightened of
2
: to shrink back from in fear
funk
3 of 4 noun1
a
: great fear
b
: a depressed state of mind
2
: coward
3
: slump entry 2
the team went into a funk
funk
4 of 4 noun
: music that combines forms of blues, gospel, or soul music and has a strong backbeat
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