punky

¹

[ puhng-kee ]

adjective

, punk·i·er, punk·i·est.

1. of, like, or pertaining to spongy punk.
2. burning very slowly, as a fire.

punky

²

[ puhng-kee ]

adjective

, punk·i·er, punk·i·est.

1. Slang. of or like punks punk or hoodlums.
2. of, relating to, or characteristic of punk rock, its performers, or its devotees.

Other Words From

• punki·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of punky¹

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75; punk ² + -y ¹

Origin of punky²

punk ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Sum 41's music has "energy and an attitude to it in a happy, punky way," Sol, who performs alongside Luke Hare and Harry Gray, adds.

From BBC

A friendly troll with a punky mohawk and red-capped mushrooms growing from its back moves the brothers up a mountain by cradling them in its supersize hands.

From New York Times

In April of the following year, she finally brought her songs to life onstage with her punky Sour Tour, which played theaters, though she could have easily sold out arenas.

From New York Times

The best rock song category is a culture clash for the ages, as Olivia Rodrigo's punky Ballad Of A Homeschooled Girl faces off against The Rolling Stones' Angry, a tale of a lovers' quarrel.

From BBC

"I scream inside to deal with it," she seethes as punky guitars crash around her.

From BBC