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 laity’s faith in monks and in their ability to provide merit and moral guidance can suffer if monks break their vows, such as by drinking alcohol or having sex. — Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026

Belmont Abbey was founded in 1876 by Benedictine monks, while the town was tiny — fewer than 200 people. — Eva Flowe august 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2026

Older monks, many in gold robes, silently corrected the trainees who were bustling along the rows, bearing ceremonial objects. — Pico Iyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026

According to Philenews, the monk occupied two cells at the monastery for several years, one of which was previously occupied by his late father. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 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