noun
funk
A strong, unpleasant smell.
A stale funk rises from the damp gym bag.
Etymology
Funk has older senses involving smoke and an offensive smell. The modern odor sense preserves that association with a strong smell; its ultimate derivation is uncertain.
More examples
- The room had a musty funk.
- Fresh air cleared the unpleasant funk.
- He noticed the funk as soon as he opened the locker.
Forms
funk
Similar words
- stench
- A stronger, more direct word for an unpleasant smell.
- mustiness
- Mustiness specifically suggests dampness or stale air.