What does gunk mean?
Gunk is an informal word for dirty, sticky, greasy, or otherwise unpleasant material, especially residue that accumulates in engines, pipes, appliances, and other machinery. It can also refer more broadly to unwanted or worthless things, as when someone dismisses an idea or a collection of objects as “gunk.” The word is chiefly associated with American and Canadian English and has a mildly disparaging, practical tone. Because it can describe both tangible residue and abstract rubbish, it is useful in contexts where the material is difficult to identify precisely but is plainly undesirable. In its verb form, “gunk” means to put such residue into or onto something, especially when obstructing a mechanism. Though the word’s ultimate origin is uncertain, its use as a vivid, slightly comic description of accumulated mess is firmly established in modern English.
A mass of dirty, sticky, greasy, muddy, or otherwise unpleasant material; more broadly, unwanted or worthless material.
"The workshop floor was covered in oil, grease, and gunk."
Informal, with a mildly disparaging tone; especially common in American and Canadian English.
To put gunk into or onto something, especially to fill or obstruct a mechanism with dirty or viscous residue.
"Poor maintenance can gunk up an engine and reduce its efficiency."
Informal and transitive; often used in the phrasal form “gunk up.”
Gunk is usually used as an uncountable noun. The plural “gunks” is used when separate masses or items of undesirable material are being referred to.
"The technician removed several small gunks from the filter."
Gunk is the word for the mysterious stuff that turns a quick repair into a major overhaul.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Related word forms
How gunk is actually used
Informal and usually somewhat disparaging. It is common in speech about dirt, grease, slime, and mechanical residue, but it can also dismiss a person’s belongings, work, or ideas as worthless stuff.
Easily confused with gunk
Gunk usually refers to dirty, sticky, or unwanted material, whereas junk refers to discarded objects or broadly to things considered worthless.