funky

English

Etymology

funk +‎ -y

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

  (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.
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.
   • 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.

Related terms

• funk
• funktastic

Translations

US: offbeat, unconventional — see offbeat

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

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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

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French

Adjective

funky (plural funkys)

1. (music) funky

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Spanish

Adjective

funky (invariable)

1. funky

Noun

funky m (uncountable)

1. funky (music or dance)