funky

English

Etymology

From funk +‎ -y.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /fʌŋki/

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Adjective

funky (comparative funkier or more funky, superlative funkiest or most funky)

1. (US, slang) Offbeat, unconventional or eccentric.
2. (US, slang) Not quite right; of questionable quality; not appropriate to the context.
   • 2006, Noire [pseudonym], Thug-A-Licious: An Urban Erotic Tale, New York, N.Y.: One World, Ballantine Books, →ISBN, page 143:

     By the tone of her voice I could tell she had a funky attitude, but I kept my head under the covers and didn't say shit.

3. (slang, UK, US) Cool; great; excellent.
   • 1989, inCider magazine (volume 7)

     Eight-bit Arkanoid is a funky game — not as sexy as its 16-bit sister, but fun to spend time with. I'm hooked.

   • 2001, ELLEgirl magazine (Autumn 2001, page 127)

     I love high heels, and these were totally funky! The coolest part: They actually let me take 'em home!

   • 2006, Sue Cook, Claire Crompton, Quick to Stitch Cross Stitch Cards, page 60:

     What every teenage driver desires: a fab, funky car and freedom!

4. Having a foul or unpleasant smell.
   • 1962, James Baldwin, Another Country, New York, N. Y.: The Dial Press, published 1963 January, page 4:

     They could scarcely bear their knowledge, nor could they have borne the sight of Rufus, but they knew why he was in the streets tonight, why he rode subways all night long, why his stomach growled, why his hair was nappy, his armpits funky, his pants and shoes too thin, and why he did not dare to stop and take a leak.

   • 2001, Jeff Nathanson, Rush Hour 2‎^[1], New Line Cinema:

     JAMES CARTER: You smell a little funky; I think you stepped in some rat shit.

   • 2017, Bruce Fife, Coconut Therapy for Pets, page 47:

     My husband thinks I'm bathing them more, but I'm not, they just lost that funky smell.

5. (music) Relating to or reminiscent of various genres of African American music, especially funk.
6. (UK, slang, dated) Relating to, or characterized by, great fear, or funking.

Derived terms

• funkiness
• funky fresh
• UK funky

 

Related terms

• funk
• funktastic

Translations

US: offbeat, unconventional — see offbeat

cool, great, excellent — see cool,‎ great,‎ excellent

Danish

Etymology

From English funky. Attested since 1971.

Adjective

funky

1. (music) funky
2. (informal) funky (cool, great, excellent)

Declension

Indeclinable.

See also

• funk

References

• “funky” in Den Danske Ordbog

French

Adjective

funky (plural funkys)

1. (music) funky

Spanish

Adjective

funky (invariable)

1. funky

Noun

funky m (uncountable)

1. funky (music or dance)