spunkier; spunkiest
: full of spunk : spirited
spunkily adverb
spunkiness noun

Examples of spunky in a Sentence

a spunky determination to make the best of a bad situation
Recent Examples on the Web The potatoes and tofu are spunky with chili powder and crisp from cornstarch. Emily Weinstein, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 Anne McClain Says Returning for New Descendants Film Was Very 'Healing' — See the First Look (Exclusive) Which original Descendants stars will return for Descendants: The Rise of Red? McClain is slated to return as Uma, the spunky daughter of Ursula. Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 This is the most classic Instant Pot model, and the best one for beginners—in a spunky red color that isn’t so classic, but might be right for someone on your holiday shopping list. Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 20 Nov. 2023 This is the most classic Instant Pot model and the best one for beginners—in a spunky red color that isn’t so classic but might be right for someone on your holiday shopping list. Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 24 Nov. 2023 Ariana Caldwell is appealingly spunky as daughter Chava, who warms to the non-Jewish Fyedka (Jay Frisby), while Cheryl J. Campo hits comic notes diligently as the matchmaker Yente. Celia Wren, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023 While his favorite character to write for was the spunky Lorelei Gilmore (Lauren Graham), Zimmerman was particularly surprised by Alexis Bledel, who made her television debut playing Lorelei’s bookish daughter Rory. Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 11 Feb. 2024 Bow specialized in playing flappers and spunky young women, reflecting the changing attitudes of the roaring 1920s. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 10 Feb. 2024 For Megan, her spunky attitude and smash-mouth demeanor are why hip-hop drooled over her potential. Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 7 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spunky was in 1786

Dictionary Entries Near spunky

Cite this Entry

“Spunky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spunky. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spunky

adjective
spunkier; spunkiest
: full of spunk : spirited
spunkily adverb
spunkiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on spunky

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