noun
Uncommon
skunk
skuhngk
Skunk (noun) means a small black-and-white North American mammal that sprays a foul-smelling liquid when threatened. Example: “A skunk wandered into the campsite and sent everyone running.”
noun
1
A small black-and-white North American mammal that sprays a foul-smelling liquid when threatened.
"A skunk wandered into the campsite and sent everyone running."
2
An unpleasant or despicable person.
"He's a real skunk for lying to his own family."
verb
1
(informal) To defeat someone so badly they score nothing.
"Our team got skunked in the final round of the tournament."
How to use skunk
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe smelly striped animal — or, informally, a nasty person, or to thrash someone in a game.
Common pairings
skunk spray
get skunked
a real skunk
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Word forms
- Plural
- skunks
- Third person singular
- skunks
- Past tense
- skunked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ wandered into the campsite and sent everyone running.
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.
Related words
Rhymes for skunk
See all rhymes for 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.
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