gunk

noun

ˈgəŋk 

: filthy, sticky, or greasy matter

gunky

ˈgəŋ-kē 

adjective

Synonyms of gunk

• dirt
• muck
• soil
• sludge
• sewage
• crud
• garbage

Examples of gunk in a Sentence

The engine was all full of gunk.

I need to wipe this gunk off my hands.

Recent Examples on the Web

Vacuum the spot to remove any excess gunk to make any further treatment more effective and prevent as much muck from actually leaving a stain in the first place. — Bridget Reed Morawski, Architectural Digest, 17 July 2026

Your pores might be congested with gunk or product residue, so double-cleansing can make all the difference. — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 23 June 2026

Neurons, firing hundreds of times per second, get clogged with their own gunk—and the accumulation of that gunk is what triggers the need to sleep. — Literary Hub, 17 June 2026

Plus, the liner is easy to de-gunk after trips with soap and water (or a good hose-down). — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

from Gunk, trademark for a cleaning solvent

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gunk

• gunk up