funky

¹ American  

[fuhng-kee] / ˈfʌŋ ki /

adjective

funkier, funkiest

1. overcome with great fear; terrified.

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funky ² American  

[fuhng-kee] / ˈfʌŋ ki /

adjective

funkier, funkiest

1. Jazz. having an earthy, blues-based quality or character.

2. having an offensive smell; evil-smelling; foul.

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funky ¹ British  

/ ˈfʌŋkɪ /

adjective

1. (of music) passionate, soulful; of or pertaining to funk

2. authentic; earthy

3. stylish and exciting; cool

   funky jeans

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funky ² British  

/ ˈfʌŋkɪ /

adjective

1. slang evil-smelling; foul

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Other Word Forms

• funkily adverb
• funkiness noun

Etymology

Origin of funky¹

First recorded in 1830–40; funk ¹ + -y ¹

Origin of funky²

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10; funk ² + -y ¹

Example Sentences

“Let Me Roll It” had a funky swagger, while “Getting Better” chugged with cheerful insistence; “I’ve Just Seen a Face” showed off the group’s crisp harmonies and “Lady Madonna” its tight rhythmic interplay.

From Los Angeles Times

On Tuesday, he played at TGL, the funky hybrid of simulator play and live action golf, where he looked almost like his old self.

From The Wall Street Journal

"It had a wood stove and no running water and a tin roof, rusted. It was a funky little shack."

From BBC

This is bass-heavy dance music, full of funky syncopation and skittering drums, often played by Tom Skinner of jazz band Sons Of Kemet.

From BBC

At the time she didn’t know what was causing pain in her right leg and the intense itching on her arms, legs and torso — or why her handwriting had “gone funky.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• earthy
• fashionable
• hip