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 of funky

Adjective (1)

• bizarre
• funny
• strange
• weird
• odd
• curious
• peculiar
• erratic
• eccentric
• remarkable
• crazy
• unusual
• quirky

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

Our friends also welcomed the way chef-owner Mychael Bonner cozied up the cavernous room by cutting off the back half with screens and setting the front with multihued art, dangling plants, and funky pendant chandeliers casting a soft light. — John Kessler, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026

Nordic Fair Isle prints and anything with sheep, stripes, or funky patterns are fantastic sellers. — Ashley Poskin, Martha Stewart, 6 Sep. 2026

The Chicago Cubs center fielder made an Air Jordan-style catch during Friday’s 6-1 win over the Miami Marlins, banging into a nook where two walls converge at funky loanDepot park. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Funkier flavors Consumers are generally moving away from pumpkin spice and trying funkier flavors. — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026

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