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Spunk: meaning, definitions and examples

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spunk

 

[ spʌŋk ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

bravery or spirit

Spunk refers to a person's courage, determination, or spiritedness. It often signifies a sense of boldness and the ability to take risks or face challenges. Individuals described as having spunk are often admired for their tenacity and resolve in the face of adversity. The term can also imply a lively or energetic personality, embodying enthusiasm and vigor. Overall, spunk is seen as a positive trait that can inspire others.

Synonyms

courage, determination, grit, guts, spirit.

Examples of usage

  • She showed a lot of spunk during the competition.
  • His spunk helped him overcome many obstacles.
  • I admire her spunk and determination to succeed.
Context #2 | Noun

semen or sperm

In a more vulgar context, spunk can refer to semen or sperm. This usage is often found in colloquial or informal speech. It's important to note that this definition is less formal and can be considered crude in some contexts. The application of the word in this manner is often dependent on the conversational setting and audience.

Synonyms

ejaculate, semen, sperm.

Examples of usage

  • He joked about having a lot of spunk.
  • The term spunk is often used humorously among friends.
  • In biology class, we learned about spunk in a different context.

Translations

Translations of the word "spunk" in other languages:

🇵🇹 energia

🇮🇳 ऊर्जा

🇩🇪 Energie

🇮🇩 energi

🇺🇦 енергія

🇵🇱 energia

🇯🇵 エネルギー

🇫🇷 énergie

🇪🇸 energía

🇹🇷 enerji

🇰🇷 에너지

🇸🇦 طاقة

🇨🇿 energie

🇸🇰 energia

🇨🇳 能量

🇸🇮 energija

🇮🇸 orka

🇰🇿 энергия

🇬🇪 ენერგია

🇦🇿 enerji

🇲🇽 energía

Etymology

The word 'spunk' has a rich history that traces back to the Middle English term 'spunk', which meant 'spark' or 'a small particle of fire.' This earlier meaning is derived from the Old Norse word 'spunkr', meaning 'firebrand.' Over time, the meaning of 'spunk' evolved from something relating to fire and sparks to embodying qualities like courage and spirit. The shift in meaning is believed to reflect the metaphor of a spark representing the ignition of bravery in a person's character. By the late 19th century, 'spunk' had also taken on a slang connotation referring to semen, adding another layer to its usage. Today, it remains a versatile term, celebrated for both its energetic connotation and informal, more risqué meanings.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,085 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.