From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishfunkfunk1 /fʌŋk/ noun [uncountable] 1 APMa style of music with a strong rhythm that is based on jazz and African music2 → in a (blue) funk3 American English informalCO a strong smell that comes from someone’s body
Examples from the Corpus
funk• That reality serves as a useful check whenever journalists go into a funk over our role in the grand scheme of things.• Music ranges from funk and rap to house, but is always the last word in drop-dead cool.• Davis began incorporating funk, rock and electric instrumentation with a vengeance.• These guys are an energetic amalgam of jazz, funk and something a little harder.• Heavy rock with a tinge of funk that still sounds fresh and exciting today.• Well, that explains the strange funk in your room.• Second, the other Lakers will be jolted from their funk by the appearance of Magic.• Since so much of house is pure beats, why not buy your funk in skeletal form too?funkfunk2 verb [transitive] British English old-fashioned AVOIDto avoid doing something because it is difficult, or because you are afraid→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
funk• The right Hon. Gentleman has funked his responsibilities.• I feel almost certain he funked it, as he funked the cheque.• What was it about the name that made them want to funk on down and start praising the Lord?• Our leaders funked that responsibility, and the Kurds and Shiites are paying for it.Origin funk 1. (1900-2000) funky2. (1700-1800) Probably from Flemish fonck3. (1600-1700) Perhaps from French funquer “to produce smoke” 