funky
gb/fˈʌŋki/ us/fˈʌŋki/
B2
English
~ 9400
Senses
0 senses
adjective
informal
B2
property
1
stylish in a cool, unusual way
looking or feeling very cool and different in a fun, modern way, not traditional or normal.
Usage pattern:
a funky [noun]; [something] is/looks/sounds funky
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "funky" always means "smelly" or negative. In this sense, it is usually positive and close to "cool" or "stylish". It is also informal, so it should be avoided in very formal writing (for example, academic essays).
Synonyms
cool (Very general informal word; doesn’t suggest unusual style as strongly as "funky".)
|
hip (Similar informal meaning, but can sound a bit dated or tied to youth culture.)
|
trendy (Focuses more on following current fashion, while "funky" suggests bold or quirky originality.)
Antonyms
boring (Lacks interest or excitement, the opposite of the bold, eye‑catching feeling of "funky".)
|
old-fashioned (Suggests a style from the past, the opposite of the modern, unusual feel of "funky".)
Collocations
funky clothes
|funky style
|funky vibe
|funky design
|funky hairstyle
Themes
appearance
|culture
|informal_language
|clothing
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- She wore a funky jacket with bright colors and huge buttons.
- The café has a funky interior with mismatched chairs and neon signs.
- He moved into a funky little apartment above a record store.
- They chose a funky logo to make the brand stand out.
- The gallery is full of funky artwork made from recycled materials.
Learner examples
- She bought a funky red hat for the party.
- Their new office has a funky, modern look.
- I like this funky song; it makes me want to dance.
- He painted his room a funky green and yellow.
- My friend has a very funky fashion style.
adjective
informal
B2
property
2
having a strong, bad smell
smelling or tasting strong and bad in a strange way, like old food or dirty clothes.
Usage pattern:
a funky [smell/odor/taste]; [something] smells/tastes funky
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this negative smell meaning with the positive "cool, stylish" meaning. Context is important: if it is about clothes, rooms, or food and uses words like "smell" or "taste", "funky" is usually negative. Also, this use is informal and should be avoided in very formal writing.
Synonyms
stinky (Informal and very clear about a bad smell; "funky" often suggests both strange and bad.)
|
rank (Very informal or slangy and often stronger or ruder than "funky".)
Antonyms
fresh (Describes food, air, or clothes that are new, clean, and pleasant, the opposite of "funky" in this sense.)
|
fragrant (Emphasizes a nice, often sweet smell, the opposite of an unpleasant funky odor.)
Collocations
funky smell
|funky odor
|smelled funky
|funky taste
|funky socks
Themes
food
|health
|daily_life
|food_drink
Examples
- There’s a funky smell coming from the fridge; I think something went bad.
- The cheese is supposed to be a little funky, but this smells really off.
- My gym bag got pretty funky after I left my wet clothes in it all weekend.
- The milk tastes funky; we should throw it out.
- His shoes were so funky that everyone opened a window.
Learner examples
- The fish smells funky. Do not eat it.
- There is a funky odor in this room.
- These socks are really funky after the game.
- This milk tastes funky to me.
- The trash can gets funky if we do not clean it.
adjective
B2
property
3
having a funk-music style
having the sound or style of funk music, with a strong beat that makes you want to dance.
Usage pattern:
a funky [beat/song/bass line]; [music] sounds funky
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this only means "cool" and miss the specific connection to funk music and a strong groove. When talking about sound or rhythm, "funky" usually points toward funk style or a similar groove, not just general coolness.
Synonyms
groovy (Old-fashioned informal term for music with a good rhythm; "funky" is more directly tied to funk style.)
|
rhythmic (More general and neutral; does not specifically mean in the style of funk.)
Antonyms
flat (Describes music that feels lifeless or without energy, opposite of the lively, rhythmic feel of "funky" music.)
|
stiff (Suggests music or dancing that lacks flow or groove, the opposite of funky looseness.)
Collocations
funky beat
|funky bass line
|funky groove
|funky rhythm
|funky track
Themes
music
|culture
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The band played a funky track that got everyone on the dance floor.
- I love the funky bass line in this song.
- Her new album mixes smooth vocals with really funky rhythms.
- They added a funky groove to the old jazz standard.
- The DJ kept the crowd moving with a set of funky house tunes.
Learner examples
- This song has a very funky beat.
- The band played a funky song at the party.
- I like funky music that makes me dance.
- The drummer gave the song a funky rhythm.
- He wrote a funky track for the new album.
adjective
informal
C1
property
4
odd or not quite right
a little strange or wrong in a way that feels worrying or unusual, even if you cannot say exactly why.
Usage pattern:
[something] is/feels/looks funky; a funky [situation/result]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this sense in formal or serious contexts where words like "strange", "suspicious", or "irregular" would be better. "Funky" here is informal and often slightly humorous. It should not be used in formal reports or academic writing.
Synonyms
weird (Very close in meaning; "funky" often has more of a casual, half-joking tone.)
|
off (Very informal; often used for things that feel not quite right, similar to this sense of "funky".)
Antonyms
normal (Describes things that are as expected, without anything strange or suspicious.)
|
sound (Suggests something is reliable and correct, the opposite of "funky" results or behavior.)
Collocations
something’s funky
|funky situation
|funky results
|funky behavior
|funky data
Themes
daily_life
|technology
|feelings
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There’s something funky about these numbers; can you check the calculations again?
- The website looks a bit funky on my phone, like the layout is broken.
- My car has been acting funky lately, so I’m taking it to the mechanic.
- I got a funky error message when I tried to install the app.
- The whole situation feels pretty funky, so let’s be careful.
Learner examples
- Something is funky with this computer; it keeps freezing.
- These test results look funky to me.
- The app is acting funky after the update.
- The lights are a little funky; they keep turning on and off.
- This deal seems funky, so I do not trust it.
Grammar
Dictionary form
funky
IPA
GB/fˈʌŋki/
US/fˈʌŋki/
Syllables & stress
funky (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (funky)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: funky
- Comparative: funkier
- Superlative: funkiest
Word family
Forms
funkier
adjective
funkiest
adjective
Core family
funk
noun B2
Related words
funkiness
noun
Advanced or less common
funkily
adverb
Expressions
get funky
1/ɡˈɛt fˈʌŋki/
idiom
informal
start dancing or acting lively
to start dancing, moving, or acting in a wild, relaxed, and rhythmic way, often with funky music.
Examples
- The DJ told the crowd to get funky as the beat dropped.
- When that song comes on, everyone in the club gets funky.
- It’s Friday night—time to get funky and forget about work.