How to pronounce punk
Say it like PUHNGK. Punk is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce punk. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PUHNGK
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Punk pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PUHNGKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of punk
American and British speakers say punk in essentially the same way: /pʌŋk/ in the US and /pʌŋk/ in the UK.
British respelling: PUHNGK.
What does punk mean?
- an aggressive and violent young criminal
- substance that smolders when ignited; used to light fuses (especially fireworks)
- material for starting a fire
- of very poor quality; flimsy
Where does punk come from?
Uncertain. Possibly from punk (“rotten wood dust used as tinder”), attested since 1678, to anything worthless (attested since 1869) and then to any undesirable person (since 1908).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with punk
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of punk.
Questions about saying punk
How do you pronounce punk?
Say PUHNGK. The American pronunciation is /pʌŋk/. In British English it is /pʌŋk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in punk?
Punk is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: PUHNGK.
Do Americans and Brits say punk the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /pʌŋk/ and the British form is /pʌŋk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.