Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having a strong, unpleasant smell: Describes something that emits an offensive or stale odor, often due to being dirty, old, or poorly ventilated.
   • Stylish in an unconventional, modern way: Describes a bold, original, and often quirky style, especially in fashion, art, or music, that is not mainstream.
   • Having the soulful, rhythmic quality of early blues or jazz: In music, describes a sound that is earthy, emotionally expressive, and rhythmically compelling, often with a strong beat.
   • (Archaic) In a state of fear; cowardly: An older, now less common usage meaning frightened or timid.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Smell):
  • This old basement smells really funky.
  • Throw those funky towels in the wash immediately.
• Adjective (Style):
  • They decorated their cafe with funky vintage furniture.
  • Her funky glasses became her signature look.
• Adjective (Music):
  • The band played a deep, funky bass line that got everyone dancing.
  • I love the raw, funky sound of 1970s soul records.

Advanced Usage

• "to feel funky": (Informal) to feel unwell, depressed, or out of sorts.
  • I've been feeling a bit funky all day; I think I'm coming down with something.
• "get funky": (Informal) to start dancing energetically or to behave in a boldly unconventional manner.
  • When that song comes on, I just have to get funky on the dance floor.

Variants and Related Words

• Funk (n):
  • A state of depression or fear. (e.g., He was in a deep funk after hearing the news.)
  • A style of music with a strong rhythmic beat. (e.g., James Brown is the king of funk.)
  • (Informal) A strong, unpleasant smell. (e.g., There's a funk coming from the gym bag.)
• Funkily (adv): In a funky manner.
  • The restaurant was funkily decorated with mismatched plates.
• Funkiness (n): The quality of being funky.
  • The funkiness of her style is what makes her stand out.

Synonyms

• For smell: malodorous, musty, stinky, foul, rank.
• For style: quirky, offbeat, unconventional, bohemian, eccentric.
• For music: soulful, groovy, rhythmic, bluesy.

Related Phrases

• Funky town: (Informal/Slang) A metaphorical place or state characterized by a cool, stylish, or rhythmic vibe.
  • This jazz club is like funky town on Saturday nights.
• In a funk: In a state of depression or low spirits.
  • She's been in a funk since her project was canceled.

Related Idioms

• Funky as a monkey: (Very informal, often humorous) Emphasizes that something is very funky in style or rhythm.
  • That new track is funky as a monkey!

Adjective

1. in a state of cowardly fright
2. stylish and modern in an unconventional way
   • she likes funky clothes
   • we did it all in black and white in a very funky sixties style
3. (of jazz) having the soulful feeling of early blues
4. offensively malodorous
   • a foul odor
   • the kitchen smelled really funky