funked; funking; funks
: to become frightened and shrink back
1
a
: a state of paralyzing fear
b
: a depressed state of mind
3
: slump sense 1
an economic funk
the team went into a funk
1
: music that combines elements of rhythm and blues and soul music and that is characterized by a percussive vocal style, static harmonies, and a strong bass line with heavy downbeats
2
: the quality or state of being funky
jeans … have lost much of their funk—
Tom Wolfe
Tom WolfeExamples of funk in a Sentence
Noun (1)
the overpowering funk of rotten meat emanated from the garbage bin
Noun (2)
he may be a strong, athletic guy, but he's a real funk when it comes to donating blood
Recent Examples on the Web
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
There’s a great debate as to what’s contributing to this funk.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Tate’s dad worked as a freelance DJ in the 1980s and early 1990s, and introduced her to funk and early hip-hop artists during that time through his extensive record collection.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for funk
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Noun
Or is your interest in the US partly reflecting a funk in your home market?
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
There’s a great debate as to what’s contributing to this funk.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
Music fans are still mourning the death of legendary singer D’Angelo and lauding how the vastness of his musical experiences, from gospel to funk to soul, permeates his catalog.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Tate’s dad worked as a freelance DJ in the 1980s and early 1990s, and introduced her to funk and early hip-hop artists during that time through his extensive record collection.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for funk
Cite this Entry
“Funk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/funk. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
funk
1 of 4 noun
: a strong bad smell
funk
2 of 4 verb1
: to be or become frightened of
2
: to shrink back from in fear
funk
3 of 4 noun1
a
: great fear
b
: a depressed state of mind
2
: coward
3
: slump entry 2
the team went into a funk
funk
4 of 4 noun
: music that combines forms of blues, gospel, or soul music and has a strong backbeat
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