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

To my surprise, that’s where this story began: a monk’s sweet tooth and a nutritionist’s patience. —Omaid Homayun, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

In 1965, Snyder and his friend Philip Whalen had designed a hike in the Japanese mountain monk (yamabushi) tradition that followed a route with stations where the pilgrims stopped to chant from various Zen and Tibetan Buddhist traditions, something not only Buddhist but shamanic. —Dennis McNally, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025

Like monk fruit, it has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and as a sweetener.6 Origin and history: Stevia comes from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, native to South America. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 6 Aug. 2025

The two monks often drove around the neighborhoods in a little old truck to bring the bread Garrity baked to people in need. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025

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