monk

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈməŋk 

: a man who is a member of a religious order and lives in a monastery

also : friar

monk

2 of 2

noun (2)

: monkey

Examples of monk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

It was founded 400 years ago by Carthusian monks, who cultivated what became known as the best vineyard in Valencia. —Zoë Dare Hall, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

This famous illuminated manuscript is a 1,200-year-old version of the four gospels, elaborately inked and meticulously illustrated by faithful monks, who went to great lengths in creating the 680-page book. —Rick Steves, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026

All that ended last Sunday, when the few remaining monks held the final public Mass, attended by an overflow crowd of about 250 people. —John Mossman, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026

At Saturday’s service, groups of friends and collaborators shared messages in person and virtually – from Gyuto monks chanting in saffron robes to videos from Willie Nelson and speeches from Joan Baez and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. —Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English munuc, from Late Latin monachus, from Late Greek monachos, from Greek, adjective, single, from monos single, alone

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1841, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing monk

• monk parakeet
• monk's cloth
• monk seal

Rhymes for monk

• bunk
• chunk
• clunk
• drunk
• dunk
• hunk
• junk
• punk
• shrunk
• slunk
• spunk
• sunk

Kids Definition

monk

noun

ˈməŋk

: a member of a religious community made up of men who agree to give up worldly life, remain poor and unmarried, and obey all laws of their community

monkish

ˈməŋ-kish

adjective

Biographical Definition

Monk

biographical name

ˈməŋk 

Thelonious Sphere 1920–1982 American jazz musician