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
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Adjective
The four musicians—David Hood, Jimmy Johnson, Roger Hawkins, and Barry Beckett—became known for their funky R&B style, attracting world-famous artists like Cher, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan to this tiny Alabama town. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 5 July 2025 This idyllic stretch of western New Jersey is dotted with postcard-pretty towns that blend Americana charm with elevated local eats, funky cultural gems, and a refreshing lack of pretension. Hannah Howard, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2025 There are funky rules, a strict two-hour game-time limit, and players doing various stunts like stilt walking or unicycle pitching. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 4 July 2025 It is engineered to hit all the right notes of spicy, sweet, savory and funky. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 2 July 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 11 Jul. 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

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