funk
fuhngk
Funk (noun) means a strong, unpleasant smell, especially body odor. Example: “The locker room had a distinct funk after the game.”
noun
1
A strong, unpleasant smell, especially body odor.
"The locker room had a distinct funk after the game."
"A strong funk of old socks hung over the changing room."
"There was a funk coming from the bin that nobody wanted to investigate."
2
A style of rhythmic dance music derived from soul music, featuring a strong bass line and syncopated beat.
"James Brown is often credited as one of the founders of funk."
"We danced all night to a band that played classic funk."
"The bass player loved funk and practised the rhythms every day."
3
A state of depression, gloom, or nervous fear.
"After losing the job, he fell into a real funk for weeks."
"She has been in a funk since her best friend moved away."
"Rainy weather always puts me in a bit of a funk."
verb
1
To give off an unpleasant smell.
"The gym bag was funking up the whole car."
How to use funk
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: a bad smell, a music genre with a heavy groove, or a low, gloomy mood.
Common mistake
Context decides the meaning heavily — "in a funk" almost always means depressed or low, not smelly.
Common pairings
in a funk
funk music
a bad funk
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Word forms
- Plural
- funks
- Third person singular
- funks
- Past tense
- funked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The locker room had a distinct _____ after the game.
Etymology
Traced to 17th-century French dialect words meaning "to smoke" or "to reek," ultimately from Latin fumigare ("to fumigate") — the same root as "fumigate."
Class of 1600
funk joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for funk
See all rhymes for funk →Frequently asked questions
What does “funk” mean?
The word “funk” means a strong, unpleasant smell, especially body odor. In plain terms, depending on context: a bad smell, a music genre with a heavy groove, or a low, gloomy mood.
How do you pronounce “funk”?
“Funk” is pronounced fuhngk (/fʌŋk/ in IPA).
How do you use “funk” in a sentence?
Here is “funk” used in a sentence: “The locker room had a distinct funk after the game.”
What is another word for “funk”?
Words with a similar meaning to “funk” include eff and f-bomb.
What part of speech is “funk”?
Depending on how it is used, “funk” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “funk” come from?
The word “funk” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Latin. Traced to 17th-century French dialect words meaning "to smoke" or "to reek," ultimately from Latin fumigare ("to fumigate") — the same root as "fumigate.".
Is “funk” a common word?
“Funk” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “funk” have?
“Funk” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a strong, unpleasant smell, especially body odor.
What is the difference between funk the music genre and funk meaning a bad mood?
These are two unrelated senses of the same word. Funk as a music genre refers to rhythmic dance music with a strong bass line derived from soul, while funk as a mood refers to a state of depression, gloom, or nervous fear, as in "in a funk."
What does it mean to be in a funk?
To be "in a funk" means to be in a low, gloomy, or anxious mood, often lacking motivation or energy. This usage is informal and common in everyday conversation rather than formal writing.
What are the origins of funk music?
Funk music developed as a style derived from soul music, characterized by a strong, syncopated bass line and rhythmic groove. It became a distinct genre associated with dance music from the mid-to-late 20th century onward.
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