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funk

[fuhngk]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

cowering fear; state of great fright or terror.
a dejected mood.
He's been in a funk ever since she walked out on him.

verb (used with object)

British.��to shrink from; try to shirk.
We can only say that the government has funked its responsibility.

verb (used without object)

British.��to shrink or quail in fear.
He funked at nothing, and could lick every boy in the neighborhood.

funk

[fuhngk]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Jazz.��music having a funky quality.
Let's set aside our music exercises for now and get down to some real funk.
a strong, earthy smell; stench.
That is some serious funk coming from the compost pile.
the state or quality of being funky.

Funk

[foongk, fuhngk]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Casimir 1884–1967, U.S. biochemist, born in Poland: discovered thiamine, the first vitamin isolated.

funk

/ ��ʌŋ�� /

noun

Also called: blue funk.��a state of nervousness, fear, or depression (esp in the phrase in a funk )
a coward

verb

to flinch from (responsibility) through fear
(tr; usually passive) to make afraid

funk

/ ��ʌŋ�� /

noun

slang��a strong foul odour

funk

/ ��ʌŋ�� /

noun

informal��a type of polyrhythmic Black dance music with heavy syncopation

Funk

⁴

/ ��ʌŋ�� /

noun

Casimir (ˈkæzɪˌmɪə). 1884–1967, US biochemist, born in Poland: studied and named vitamins

Funk

Polish-born American biochemist who is credited with the discovery of vitamins. In 1912 he postulated the existence of four organic bases he called vitamines which were necessary for normal health and the prevention of deficiency diseases. He also contributed to the knowledge of the hormones of the pituitary gland and the sex glands.

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Other Word Forms

funker noun
ˈ�ڳܲ԰�� noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Funk¹

First recorded in 1735–45; originally Oxford University slang; perhaps from early Dutch dialect (in de) fonck “in difficulties;” further origin unknown

Origin of Funk²

First recorded in 1615–25; perhaps from North French dialect funquier, funquer “give off smoke,” Old North French fungier, from Vulgar Latin ��ū��, alteration of Latin ��ū�� fumigate

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Funk¹

C18: university slang, perhaps related to _funk ²

Origin of Funk²

C17 (in the sense: tobacco smoke): from funk (vb) to smoke (tobacco), probably of French dialect origin; compare Old French funkier to smoke, from Latin ��ū��

Origin of Funk³

C20: back formation from _funky ¹

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The pioneering funk musician died Monday at 82 in Los Angeles.

From

Stone was a giant of funk music, known for blending psychedelia, funk, rock and soul, his big style and even bigger hair.

From

Though it divided critics at the time, "Riot" has since gained a reputation as one of the most important and influential funk albums of all time.

From

The great funk bassist Bootsy Collins once called Stone “the most talented musician I know.”

From

"Sly was a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music," his family said.

From

funiculus funked

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