spunk
1 of 2noun
ˈspəŋk 
1
a
: a woody tinder : punk
b
: any of various fungi used to make tinder
2
: mettle, pluck
3
: spirit, liveliness
spunk
2 of 2verb
spunked; spunking; spunks
intransitive verb
dialect
: to show spirit —usually used with up
Synonyms
Noun
- backbone
- constancy
- fiber
- fortitude
- grit
- grittiness
- guts
- intestinal fortitude
- pluck
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun That little girl has a lot of spunk. had the spunk to overcome a severe physical disability
Recent Examples on the Web
Chelsea Avila, Allure, 24 Aug. 2022 Showing her usual spunk, Gabriela had the last word. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2022 Goncalves plays Cucu, a middle schooler with spunk who was the life of the party back home and is trying figure out her place in this new life. Rodrigo Cid, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2022 Foster met that challenge and then some, bringing a quirkier personality and spunk to a role that can often read as a milquetoast ingenue. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 7 June 2022 Other chicks, just a few days older, are full of spunk. Richard Mertens, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 June 2022 Stars embraced glitz and glamour—a Cannes signature—but infused their looks with a sense of spunk. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 30 May 2022 Torns lives up to her billing as the star of the show, bringing equal parts vulnerability and spunk to the role of Jenna. cleveland, 1 June 2022 Riley has performed in local plays as well, and has a spunk about her which is perfect for the role of Marian, said Harding. Sheryl Devore, chicagotribune.com, 15 Mar. 2022 Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Mar. 2022 See More
Noun
Along with the seven members, Siwa celebrated their spunk with rainbow hair tinsel and to-the-root hair gems. Chelsea Avila, Allure, 24 Aug. 2022 Showing her usual spunk, Gabriela had the last word. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2022 Goncalves plays Cucu, a middle schooler with spunk who was the life of the party back home and is trying figure out her place in this new life. Rodrigo Cid, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2022 Foster met that challenge and then some, bringing a quirkier personality and spunk to a role that can often read as a milquetoast ingenue. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 7 June 2022 Other chicks, just a few days older, are full of spunk. Richard Mertens, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 June 2022 Stars embraced glitz and glamour—a Cannes signature—but infused their looks with a sense of spunk. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 30 May 2022 Torns lives up to her billing as the star of the show, bringing equal parts vulnerability and spunk to the role of Jenna. cleveland, 1 June 2022 Riley has performed in local plays as well, and has a spunk about her which is perfect for the role of Marian, said Harding. Sheryl Devore, chicagotribune.com, 15 Mar. 2022 Verb
The Wild already had spunk, but Deslauriers has crafted a nice brand in the pest-nuisance-and-hitting market. Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Scottish Gaelic spong sponge, tinder, from Middle Irish spongc, from Latin spongia sponge
First Known Use
Noun
1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1840, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
spunk
noun
ˈspəŋk
: courage, spirit
spunk
noun
as in courage
the strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship had the spunk to overcome a severe physical disability Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- courage
- grit
- courageousness
- fortitude
- bravery
- stamina
- guts
- determination
- grittiness
- pluck
- endurance
- backbone
- fiber
- nerve
- constancy
- intestinal fortitude
- purposefulness
- fearlessness
- gallantry
- resoluteness
- daring
- stoutness
- chutzpah
- mettle
- valor
- boldness
- tolerance
- nerve
- intrepidity
- intrepidness
- spirit
- audacity
- resolution
- brass
- hutzpah
- dauntlessness
- sufferance
- forbearance
- temerity
- gall
- effrontery
- chutzpa
- heart
- hardihood
- greatheartedness
- doughtiness
- cheek
- hutzpa
- nerviness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- spinelessness
- timidity
- vacillation
- indecisiveness
- cowardice
- irresolution
- pusillanimity
- cowardliness
- faintheartedness
- timorousness
- irresoluteness
- cravenness
- dastardliness