funky

1 of 2

adjective (1)

ˈfəŋ-kē 

funkier; funkiest

1

US : having an offensive odor : foul

a funky smell

2

music : having the style and feeling of older African American music (such as blues or gospel) or of funk

especially : characterized by rhythmic elements similar to those of funk

a funky beat

3

informal

a

: odd or quaint in appearance or feeling

a funky little restaurant

b

: unconventionally stylish : hip

funky clothes

… lighting gives the … shops and streets a funky prettiness …

—Pauline Kael

funkily adverb

funkiness noun

funky

2 of 2

adjective (2)

: being in a funk : panicky

Synonyms

Adjective (2)

• bizarre
• bizarro
• cranky
• crazy
• curious
• eccentric
• erratic
• far-out
• funny
• kinky
• kooky
• kookie
• odd
• off-kilter
• off-the-wall
• offbeat
• out-of-the-way
• outlandish
• outré
• peculiar
• quaint
• queer
• queerish
• quirky
• remarkable
• rum [chiefly British]
• screwy
• spaced-out
• strange
• wacky
• whacky
• way-out
• weird
• weirdo
• wild

Examples of funky in a Sentence

Adjective (2)

a funky antique shop that reflects the owner's decidedly eccentric taste

a funky pair of old socks lying on the locker room floor

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The original spot, at 2295 Lexington Road and across the street from the fine-dining establishment Le Moo, resembles a hunter’s cabin or funky shack, with a wooden exterior and metal siding, covered in signs for beer brands. —Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 2 Nov. 2024

But these aren’t just standard Call of Duty levels dressed up with a funky theme — the gameplay completely changes too. —Cade Onder, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024

This genre embodies the essence of classic jazz, modernist blues, and funky hip-hop, infused with themes related to Black diaspora, with a magnetic reach that appealed to consumers of the abstract. —Ime Ekpo, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Grand Junction and Palisade Winemakers on the Western Slope are putting our state on the map for unique sparkling wines that range from fizzy and funky pét-nats to vinos produced in Charmat tanks. —Brittany Anas, The Denver Post, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

funk offensive odor

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

circa 1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

1826, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

funky

adjective

ˈfəŋ-kē

1

: having a bad smell

2

: down-to-earth in style and feeling

especially : having the style and feeling of funk

a funky beat

3

informal

a

: odd in appearance or feeling

b

: stylish in an untypical way : hip sense 1

funky clothes