skunk
20 synonyms and 0 antonyms for skunk, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small black-and-white North American mammal that sprays a foul-smelling liquid when threatened.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use skunk
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Borrowed from an Algonquian language of southern New England, from a word meaning roughly "he who urinates/squirts", referring to the animal's spray.
Full origin of skunk →Frequently asked questions
What does “skunk” mean?
The word “skunk” means a small black-and-white North American mammal that sprays a foul-smelling liquid when threatened. In plain terms, the smelly striped animal — or, informally, a nasty person, or to thrash someone in a game.
How do you pronounce “skunk”?
“Skunk” is pronounced skuhngk (/skʌŋk/ in IPA).
How do you use “skunk” in a sentence?
Here is “skunk” used in a sentence: “A skunk wandered into the campsite and sent everyone running.”
What part of speech is “skunk”?
Depending on how it is used, “skunk” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “skunk” a common word?
“Skunk” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “skunk” have?
“Skunk” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small black-and-white North American mammal that sprays a foul-smelling liquid when threatened.