Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense funks, present participle funking, past tense funked
1. uncountable noun
Funk is a style of dance music based on jazz and blues, with a strong, repeated bass part.
...a mixture of experimental jazz, soul and funk.
2. variable noun
If someone is in afunk, they are frightened, especially because they are in a situation they cannot control.
[old-fashioned]
He was in a blue funk! Worse than me!
My face went crimson (which it does out of sheer funk).
3. verb
If you funk something, you avoid doing it because you are afraid.
[British, old-fashioned]
If he funks it, he will confirm the impression of cowardice given by his recent letter. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: chicken out of, dodge, recoil from, take fright More Synonyms of funk
funk in British English1
(fʌŋk) informal, mainly British
noun
1. Also called: blue funk
a state of nervousness, fear, or depression (esp in the phrase in a funk)
2.
a coward
verb
3.
to flinch from (responsibility) through fear
4. (tr; usually passive)
to make afraid
Derived forms
funker (ˈfunker)
noun
Word origin
C18: university slang, perhaps related to funk2
funk in British English2
(fʌŋk)
noun
US slang
a strong foul odour
Word origin
C17 (in the sense: tobacco smoke): from funk (vb) to smoke (tobacco), probably of French dialect origin; compare Old French funkier to smoke, from Latin fūmigāre
funk in British English3
(fʌŋk)
noun
informal
a type of polyrhythmic Black dance music with heavy syncopation
Word origin
C20: back formation from funky1
Funk in British English
(fʌŋk)
noun
Casimir (ˈkæzɪˌmɪə). 1884–1967, US biochemist, born in Poland: studied and named vitamins
funk in American English1
(fʌŋk)
noun Informal
1.
the condition of being greatly afraid or in a panic
2.
a low, depressed mood
: also blue funk
verb intransitive
3. Informal
to be afraid
verb transitive Informal
4.
to be afraid of
5.
to avoid as because of fear; shrink from
Word origin
< ? Fl fonck, dismay
funk in American English2
(fʌŋk)
noun
1. Obsolete
a musty odor, as of moldy tobacco
2. US
funky jazz
3. US
a form of rhythm and blues popular since the 1970s in which highly syncopated polyrhythms are combined with a prominent, jerky bass line, minimal harmonic structure, and declamatory vocalizing
Word origin
back-form < funky
Examples of 'funk' in a sentence
funk
Same old retro funk and heavy riff.
The Sun (2008)
All exercises are done to an upbeat funk and soul soundtrack.
The Sun (2013)
Latin and funk influenced jazz performers.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Verdict Classy and compact but more suited to jazz than funk.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Musical theory lesson over, this fantastic documentary traces the history of funk music.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Then it will be funk, soul and disco classics.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
A client could funk the responsibility of going in after wounded game.
Cameron, Kenneth M Into Africa - a social history of the East African Safari (1989)
I was in a blue funk by this time.
Patrick Bishop FIGHTER BOYS: Saving Britain 1940 (2003)
A smooth and schmaltzy love song from the funk legend.
The Sun (2006)
They sounded like a montage of countless funk and soul classics, but lacked the hooks to become hits.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
I grew up listening to jazz, funk and house.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
I grew up with gospel, soul and funk.
The Sun (2010)
It is a mixture of funk, hip-hop and reggae.
The Sun (2011)
The album sounds part No Doubt with lots of pop grooves and funk.
The Sun (2013)
If the predominant tone is more folk than funk, that's no bad thing.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Complex rhythms, echoes of soul, funk and reggae informed their intelligent punk pop.
The Sun (2006)
Their tastes differ when it comes to music: she likes easy listening, he prefers funk and jazz.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
From rock to rap, funk to free jazz, there is barely a musical genre that does not owe him a debt.
The Sun (2015)
Would a drink at the hotel bar, a trendy space with the old factory columns exposed and funk music, help the situation?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
funk
British English: funk NOUN
Funk is a style of dance music based on jazz and blues, with a strong, repeated bass part.
...a mixture of experimental jazz, soul, and funk.