spunky
spunky Lexical Profile
spunky Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
North American Courageous, spirited, and determined, especially in the face of adversity or despite being small or at a disadvantage.
"The spunky terrier stood its ground and barked fearlessly at the much larger hound."
Australian Sexually attractive or good-looking.
"Everyone at the beach noticed the spunky new lifeguard."
Word Nuance & Usage
In North American English, 'spunky' is a benign, informal compliment meaning spirited or courageous, whereas in British and Commonwealth English, the root noun 'spunk' is vulgar slang for semen, giving 'spunky' a crude or sexually suggestive undertone.
• Rhymes for spunky
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the 16th-century noun 'spunk' (meaning a spark or tinder), likely from Scottish Gaelic 'spong' (sponge, pith, or tinder), ultimately from Latin 'spongia' (sponge).