funk /fʌŋk/verb 6noun 6forms 3phrases 2 verb6 •To shrink from, or avoid something because of fear.He'll have funked it, when he comes to the edge, and sees nothing but mist below — 1857 •To perform funk music.From the earliest part of this decade when he funked in relative obscurity to his days as a superstar with the release of his Batman soundtrack last summer, I could almost always count on Prince. — 1989 •(slang, euphemistic) Fuck (the taboo swear word).Funk this! •To emit an offensive smell; to stink. •To envelop with an offensive smell or smoke.He funks Basketia and her son to death — 1709 •To frighten; to cause to flinch. noun6 •A style of music derived from 1960s soul music, with elements of rock and other styles, characterized by a prominent bass guitar, dance-friendly sound, a strong emphasis on the downbeat, and much syncopation. •Mental depression.I've been in a funk lately, I fell into a funk, I slipped into a funk, I was stuck in a funkit helped me get out of a funk •Foul or unpleasant smell, especially body odor.The foulest stench is in the air; the funk of 40,000 years and grisly ghouls from every tomb are closing in to seal your doom. — 1982 •A state of fear or panic, especially cowardly.[The helmsman] steered with no end of a swagger while you were by; but if he lost sight of you, he became instantly the prey of an abject funk […] — 1899 •One who fears or panics; a coward. •(no longer used) Touchwood, punk, tinder. formsfunked · funking · funks Phrases with funk funk outTo malfunction. funk upTo make (something) funky (foul-smelling).
