wonk

[ wongk ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a student who spends much time studying and has little or no social life; grind.
2. a stupid, boring, or unattractive person.
3. a person who studies a subject or issue in an excessively assiduous and thorough manner:

   They’re searching for a policy wonk to lead the economic institute’s think tank.

wonk

/ wɒŋk /

noun

1. informal.
   a person who is obsessively interested in a specified subject

   a foreign policy wonk

Other Words From

• wonk·ish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wonk¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1960–65; of expressive origin; nautical slang wonk “a midshipman,” and Australian slang “white person; gay man” are probably independent formations

Word History and Origins

Origin of wonk¹

C20: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

“Am I a policy wonk? No, but I do approach this from a very business-minded, fiscally conservative perspective.”

From Los Angeles Times

The media will, no doubt, lean into Walz’s experience as a football coach — in 1999 he helped Mankato West win a state championship and political wonks love a good sports metaphor.

From Los Angeles Times

It sounds like the makings of theater for wonks, doesn’t it?

From New York Times

They also flesh out a portrait of Mr. Obama as a steady-as-she-goes, hyper-disciplined but not especially warm, policy wonk who scrolled the Brookings Institution website for ideas and had to overcome his own political mistakes.

From New York Times

Like an adorable boy band, the three pals each had a persona: Ryan, the policy wonk; Cantor, the blossoming leader; and McCarthy, the political animal.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• geek
• nerd