skunk

1 of 2

noun

plural skunks also skunk
1
a
: any of various common omnivorous black-and-white New World mammals (especially genus Mephitis) of the weasel family that have a pair of perineal glands from which a secretion of pungent and offensive odor is ejected
b
: the fur of a skunk
2
: an obnoxious or disliked person

Illustration of skunk

Illustration of skunk
  • skunk 1a

skunk

2 of 2

verb

skunked; skunking; skunks

transitive verb

1
a
: defeat
b
: to prevent entirely from scoring or succeeding : shut out
2
: to fail to pay
also : cheat

Examples of skunk in a Sentence

Noun Her brother's a low-down, dirty skunk. he's nothing but a dirty, rotten skunk Verb we ended up skunking them, as our goalie was able to prevent the other team from scoring a single goal our football team consistently skunks our traditional rivals Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
While urban coyotes, foxes, skunks, and raccoons will gladly nab turkey eggs and babies, adult turkeys—which weigh up to 20 pounds—are formidable opponents, notes Drake. Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2024 In the United States and Canada, the only mammals that have gotten the disease — such as foxes, skunks, coyotes and bears — are those known to scavenge on dead birds. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024 This is the primary defense mechanism for a toad that is otherwise physically incapable of defending itself from the likes of raccoons, skunks, snakes or birds of prey, like eagles. Scott Travers, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 Coyotes – along with jackrabbits, raccoons, red foxes, porcupines, and skunks — are classified as non-game species in Wyoming, which means there are no bag limits, and they can be taken year-round without a license. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 31 Jan. 2024 The backyard was home to a population of wildlife, such as bull snakes, racoons and skunks. Dana Oland, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 Rabies is most often seen in raccoons, cats, skunks, foxes, groundhogs and bats in Maryland, but can sometimes be seen in other animals such as dogs, ferrets, deer, and even cows and other farm animals, the news release stated. Molly Fellin Spence, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2024 More than 90% of rabies cases in the U.S. occur in wildlife, with raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes as the most common carriers, the CDC said. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2024 Today, raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes are the most common carriers. Emily Mullin, WIRED, 29 Aug. 2023
Verb
In a remarkable, odds-defying losing streak, the 67-year-old composer has been skunked on every nomination, including the past seven years in a row. Tyler Coates, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024 There’s nothing worse than getting skunked and then stuck in the marsh with no cell service. Joe Genzel, Outdoor Life, 4 Nov. 2020 That means two out of three Minnesota turkey hunters are going skunked this spring. Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 21 Apr. 2022 But coastal Alabama didn’t get skunked, thanks to one listing in Fairhope and two in Orange Beach. Lawrence Specker | Lspecker@al.com, al, 12 July 2023 Mississippi also got skunked but Tennessee had two places on the list, Florida had five, Georgia had four. Lawrence Specker | Lspecker@al.com, al, 4 June 2023 View Photos But the GTS doesn't get skunked, either. Patrick Bedard, Car and Driver, 16 Apr. 2023 In lockstep with Marchand, he also was skunked on the power play in the 14 games. Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Apr. 2023 The presence of a sulfur atom in place of an oxygen atom contributes to the aromatic bouquet that gives odors like skunk a characteristic aroma. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 16 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skunk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

earlier squuncke, from a Massachusett reflex of Algonquian *šeka·kwa, from šek- urinate + -a·kw fox, fox-like animal

First Known Use

Noun

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of skunk was in 1634

Dictionary Entries Near skunk

Cite this Entry

“Skunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skunk. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

skunk

1 of 2 noun
plural skunks also skunk
1
: any of various black-and-white North American mammals related to the weasels that give off a fluid with a sharp and unpleasant smell when threatened
2
: a mean hateful person

skunk

2 of 2 verb
: to defeat completely
especially : to prevent entirely from scoring or succeeding : shut out
Etymology

Noun

from a word in Massachusett (an extinct Algonguian language spoken in Massachusetts)

Geographical Definition

Skunk

geographical name

river 264 miles (425 kilometers) long in southeastern Iowa flowing southeast into the Mississippi River

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