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

Counters and tables covered with gunk and what looked like marijuana and empty beer and liquor bottles around. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Keep used dryer sheets handy to keep surfaces dust- and gunk-free. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2026

Worse still, gunk and staining on shelves can be off-putting. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2026

It’s also packed with a slew of cleansing agents that are known for effectively sloughing away gunk while being gentle enough not to damage the skin barrier. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 1 Sep. 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