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

This is apparently true even for Italians, who have been served a consistent diet of funky automotive styling for 125 years. —Brett Berk, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2024

Suburban sprawl was the biggest culprit, conservation groups say, with residential and commercial development tearing up owl habitat across the state and giving the funky little birds precious little space to nest and breed. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024

The popular music joint is known for bringing in local and national talent, funky cover bands, comedy shows and more. —Madeline Mitchell, The Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2024

Now Pacino is preparing to play him in Sidney Lumet’s grimy, funky biopic Serpico, and the actor has a question. —James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 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