verb / noun

bonk

BAHNK/bˈɑŋk/

A light hit or collision with a dull sound.

He accidentally bonks his head on the open cupboard door.

A man rising from a crouch lightly bumps the top of his head against the underside of an open kitchen cupboard door, with a small wince rather than signs of injury.

Etymology

Bonk is probably imitative: its sound suggests the impact of a hit or bump rather than combining older meaningful roots.

In context

TED6:21

Sure, some setbacks bonk you over the head. You fail a class, you're kicked out of school, a business investor pulls out, a relationship ends, you're fired from a job.

How to Turn Setbacks into Success | Amy Shoenthal | TED

More examples

The ball gave her a light bonk on the shoulder.
She accidentally bonked the microphone with her elbow.
The lid closed with a dull bonk.

Forms

bonk · bonks · bonked · bonking

Similar words

bump: Bump is a light collision; bonk adds a comic dull-impact sound.
knock: Knock is a blow or collision; bonk often implies a minor accidental hit.