Wonk: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
wonk
[ wษลk ]
political expert
A 'wonk' is an individual who has a deep interest and knowledge about a particular subject, often one that is political or governmental in nature. These individuals tend to focus intensely on details and intricacies, making them highly informed and skilled in their area of expertise. The term can often carry a connotation of being obsessively knowledgeable, sometimes to the point of being seen as overly academic or pedantic. Therefore, wonks are frequently involved in policy discussions, research, or advocacy related to their field.
Synonyms
aficionado, buff, expert, nerd, specialist
Examples of usage
- The policy wonks gathered to discuss new healthcare reforms.
- She was known as a budget wonk among her peers.
- They often consulted with wonks for detailed reports.
- The election was heavily influenced by the insights of political wonks.
Translations
Translations of the word "wonk" in other languages:
๐ต๐น especialista
๐ฎ๐ณ เคตเคฟเคถเฅเคทเคเฅเค
๐ฉ๐ช Spezialist
๐ฎ๐ฉ ahli
๐บ๐ฆ ัะฟะตััะฐะปััั
๐ต๐ฑ specjalista
๐ฏ๐ต ๅฐ้ๅฎถ
๐ซ๐ท spรฉcialiste
๐ช๐ธ especialista
๐น๐ท uzman
๐ฐ๐ท ์ ๋ฌธ๊ฐ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฎุจูุฑ
๐จ๐ฟ odbornรญk
๐ธ๐ฐ odbornรญk
๐จ๐ณ ไธๅฎถ
๐ธ๐ฎ strokovnjak
๐ฎ๐ธ sรฉrfrรฆรฐingur
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะผะฐะผะฐะฝ
๐ฌ๐ช แกแแแชแแแแแกแขแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ mรผtษxษssis
๐ฒ๐ฝ especialista
Word origin
The term 'wonk' is believed to have originated in the United States during the 1960s, likely derived from the 1930s' slang term 'wonk-wonk,' a term used by students at the Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. The word was initially associated with a keen intellect but has evolved over time to denote someone who is overly concerned with the complexities of policy and governance. 'Wonk' has grown in popularity, especially within political discussions, and is now commonly utilized in media and academic contexts. As the political landscape became increasingly complicated, the need for individuals who thoroughly understood specific issues rose, allowing the term to gain traction in everyday language.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #40,955, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.
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