How to pronounce funk
Say it like FUHNGK. Funk is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- FUHNGK
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Funk pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FUHNGKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of funk
American and British speakers say funk in essentially the same way: /fʌŋk/ in the US and /fʌŋk/ in the UK.
British respelling: FUHNGK.
What does funk mean?
- Foul or unpleasant smell, especially body odor.
- 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.
- To emit an offensive smell; to stink.
- To envelop with an offensive smell or smoke.
- To perform funk music.
- Mental depression.“I've been in a funk lately, I fell into a funk, I slipped into a funk, I was stuck in a funk”
- A state of fear or panic, especially cowardly.
- One who fears or panics; a coward.
Where does funk come from?
1620, from French dialectal (Norman) funquer, funquier (“to smoke, reek”), from Old Northern French fungier (“to smoke”), from Vulgar Latin fūmicāre, alteration of Latin fūmigāre (“to smoke, fumigate”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with funk
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of funk.
Questions about saying funk
How do you pronounce funk?
Say FUHNGK. The American pronunciation is /fʌŋk/. In British English it is /fʌŋk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in funk?
Funk is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: FUHNGK.
Do Americans and Brits say funk the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /fʌŋk/ and the British form is /fʌŋk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.