funk
funk Lexical Profile
funk Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A genre of dance music originating in African American communities in the mid-1960s, characterized by a strong, syncopated bassline and heavy drumbeat.
"The band played classic 1970s funk that got the entire crowd dancing."
A state of depression, low spirits, or lack of motivation.
"After losing the championship game, the team fell into a deep funk for weeks."
A strong, unpleasant, or musty odor.
"Opening the windows helped clear the stale funk from the basement."
British A state of panic, extreme fear, or cowardly nervousness.
"He was in a complete funk before stepping onto the stage to deliver his speech."
• verb
British To avoid or shrink back from a task or duty out of fear or nervousness.
"He promised to confront the manager, but he funked it at the last moment."
• Rhymes for funk
Word Origin & Etymology
Dating to the 17th century as a term for a strong smell or tobacco smoke, likely from French dialect 'funkier' (to smoke) via Latin 'fumigare'. The musical sense emerged in African American jazz slang in the 1950s to describe an earthy, soulful quality.