spunky

[ spuhng-kee ]

adjective

, spunk·i·er, spunk·i·est.

1. plucky; spirited.

Other Words From

• spunki·ly adverb
• spunki·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of spunky¹

First recorded in 1780–90; spunk + -y ¹

Example Sentences

A spunky 56-year-old, who has been homeless herself, she was lured away from a 30-year career in commercial purchasing to become a full-time outreach worker for Harbor Interfaith.

From Los Angeles Times

A former Duck spared his new team a blowout with some spunky play late in the first half.

From Los Angeles Times

“Then, in the ’70s and ’80s, television gave us two women journalists — still spunky but way more independent — that we could root for: Mary Tyler Moore and Murphy Brown.

From Los Angeles Times

By this time, the crowd was getting into the action and expressing vocal support for the spunky fellow.

From Los Angeles Times

Evil Ezekiel, meanwhile, hoards the spider peptides for himself, and 30 years later, he’s now a sort of cursed dark Spider-man, tormented by premonitions of being killed by a trio of spunky Spider-women.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chirpy
• courageous
• energetic
• fearless
• high-spirited
• peppy
• plucky