adj
spunky
SPUHNG-kee
Spunky (adj) means Spirited, plucky, and full of courage. Example: “The spunky heroine refuses to back down from a challenge.”
adj
1
Spirited, plucky, and full of courage.
"The spunky heroine refuses to back down from a challenge."
"Their spunky terrier barks at dogs three times its size."
How to use spunky
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFull of pluck and courage, often used affectionately about someone feisty.
When to use it
Informal; note it also has a vulgar British slang sense related to "spunk" (semen), so context matters.
Common pairings
spunky heroine
spunky little dog
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Word forms
- Plural
- spunkys, spunkies
- Comparative
- spunkier
- Superlative
- spunkiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ heroine refuses to back down from a challenge.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for spunky
See all rhymes for spunky →Frequently asked questions
What does “spunky” mean?
The word “spunky” means spirited, plucky, and full of courage. In plain terms, full of pluck and courage, often used affectionately about someone feisty.
How do you pronounce “spunky”?
“Spunky” is pronounced SPUHNG-kee (/ˈspʌŋki/ in IPA).
How do you use “spunky” in a sentence?
Here is “spunky” used in a sentence: “The spunky heroine refuses to back down from a challenge.”
What part of speech is “spunky”?
“Spunky” is an adjective.
