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Pukka: meaning, definitions and examples

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pukka

 

[ ˈpʌkə ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

British slang

Pukka is a British slang term that conveys authenticity or excellence. Originating from Hindi and Urdu, the word implies something that is genuine or of high quality. Over time, it has been adopted into British English to describe anything that is trendy or fashionable, often with a sense of style or sophistication. In a broader sense, it can also refer to someone who is admirable or of high standing.

Synonyms

authentic, excellent, genuine, superb

Examples of usage

  • This restaurant serves pukka Indian food.
  • He always wears pukka clothes to events.
  • That was a pukka performance by the band.
  • She has a pukka attitude towards her work.

Translations

Translations of the word "pukka" in other languages:

🇵🇹 autêntico

🇮🇳 सच्चा

🇩🇪 echt

🇮🇩 asli

🇺🇦 справжній

🇵🇱 autentyczny

🇯🇵 本物の

🇫🇷 authentique

🇪🇸 auténtico

🇹🇷 gerçek

🇰🇷 진짜의

🇸🇦 أصلي

🇨🇿 autentický

🇸🇰 autentický

🇨🇳 正宗的

🇸🇮 avtentičen

🇮🇸 alvöru

🇰🇿 нағыз

🇬🇪 ნამდვილი

🇦🇿 həqiqi

🇲🇽 auténtico

Word origin

The word 'pukka' comes from the Hindi word 'पक्का' (pakka), which means 'cooked', 'ripe', or 'firm'. It is derived from the Sanskrit word 'पक्व' (pakva), meaning 'cooked'. The term was used in colonial India and eventually made its way into British slang, where it evolved to encompass a broader meaning related to authenticity and quality. In the 19th century, 'pukka' became popular in British use to describe anything that was of a certain standard, particularly in reference to food and drink. Today, it signifies something that is high quality, stylish, and fashionable, and is often used in informal contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,438, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.