Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “punk” come from?

Punk comes from English spunk, of uncertain origin and meaning.

punk (English): A person used for sex, particularly; A worthless...

Definitions

  1. A person used for sex, particularly; A worthless...

Ancestry of “punk”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Unamipunkwashes; dust; powder
2Proto-Algonquianpenkwidust, ash
3Proto-Algicpenekwepowder

Words derived from “punk”

  • punk
  • cyberpunk
  • punky
  • postpunk
  • punkish
  • punker
  • punkette
  • skatepunk
  • postcyberpunk
  • protopunk
  • cowpunk
  • punklike
  • neopunk
  • punkishly
  • punkdom
  • prepunk
  • punkiness
  • punkster
  • unpunk
  • cyberpunkish
  • punkadelic
  • punkishness
  • punkitude
  • cyberpunky
Every word from Proto-Algic penekwe →