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 British monk Pelagius taught that humans could reach salvation unaided, by sheer moral effort. —Shai Tubali, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025

The industry that got away Modern-day Americans know coffee as a morning pick-me-up, but historical accounts place the beverage in the hands of Sufi monks in Yemen, who sipped on coffee to remain energized through late-night prayer rituals. —Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 28 Sep. 2025

Three of the seven monks killed were foreign nationals from India, Russia and Romania, CNN reported, citing local officials. —Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025

The origins of Buçaco National Forest date back to 1628, when Carmelite monks built a convent and launched a forest restoration project. —Anna Mazurek, AFAR Media, 26 Sep. 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