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

The Zen Buddhist monk and personal hero of mine Thich Nhat Hanh spent much of his life writing about mindfulness. —Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026

This beautiful—and reputedly very haunted—hotel has been around since the 17th century and was originally a home for Cistercian monks before it was taken over by a wealthy merchant as his personal estate. —Timothy Latterner, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Feb. 2026

First produced in the 18th century by Catholic monks in the Jeronimos Monastery, these treats should be an absolute staple of any trip to Portugal. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026

The appeal is likely part of the efforts by the monks to pressure the government. —Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 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