punk Hear it!

punk1 definition

☆ punk (puŋk)

noun

any substance, as decayed wood, that smolders when ignited, used as tinder; esp., a chemically treated fungous substance shaped into slender, fragile, light-brown sticks: the glowing tips are used to light fireworks, etc.

Etymology: prob. var. of spunk

punk2 definition

punk (puŋk)

noun

  1. Obsolete a prostitute
  2. ☆ Slang
    1. catamite
    2. a male homosexual
    3. a young hoodlum
    4. any person, esp. a youngster, regarded as inexperienced, insignificant, presumptuous, etc.
    1. punk rock
    2. a style, originating among fans of punk rock, characterized by motley clothes, oddly clipped hair, etc.

Etymology: Early ModE slang < ?

adjective

  1. ☆ Slang poor or bad in condition, quality, etc.
  2. of or having to do with punk rock or the style called punk

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

punk Synonyms

punk*

modif.

bad, inadequate, not good; see poor 2.


punk*

n.

hoodlum, hood*, juvenile delinquent*, JD*, brat*, hooligan*, ruffian*, bully; see also criminal, rascal.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

punk Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • play: We'd both gotten turned onto Gang Of Four around then so we were playing angular post punk.

Adjective modifier

  • hardcore: Hardcore punk - I love it, smile on face ( rapid ) nodding head, tapping foot.

Modifies a noun

  • rocker: Richard Lloyd, Guitar Player May 2001 I am not a punk rocker.

Noun used with modifier

  • ska: My eldest boy of 21 is in a ska punk band.
punk usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

punk quotes

You've got toask yourself a question.Do I feel lucky.Well do you punk?

-Earhart, Amelia

punk quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"punk." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/punk>

APA Style

punk. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/punk

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