Funny vs. Funky — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 17, 2024
Funny means causing laughter or amusement, while funky refers to something with a strong, distinctive, and often unconventional style or smell.
Difference Between Funny and Funky
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Funny describes anything that provokes laughter or amusement. It is associated with humor and can refer to jokes, stories, situations, or behaviors that are entertaining and make people laugh. Funky, on the other hand, has a more diverse set of meanings. It often describes something with a unique and bold style, especially in music, fashion, or art.
In terms of usage, funny is primarily used in contexts related to humor and entertainment. It emphasizes the comedic or amusing aspects of something. Funky, however, is more versatile and can describe distinctive styles, music genres (especially funk), and strong odors. It emphasizes boldness, uniqueness, and, occasionally, a sense of being offbeat or unconventional.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Causing laughter or amusement
Having a strong, distinctive style or smell
Context
Humor, entertainment
Style, music, smells
Usage
Emphasizes humor
Emphasizes uniqueness, boldness
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Example
A funny joke or a funny movie
A funky outfit or a funky smell
Emphasis
Comedic or amusing aspects
Bold, unconventional, or strong qualities
Compare with Definitions
Funny
Causing laughter or amusement.
The comedian's routine was incredibly funny.
Funky
Related to or characteristic of funk music.
The funky bass line made everyone want to dance.
Funny
Full of humor.
The book was funny from start to finish.
Funky
Unconventionally stylish or trendy.
The band's funky sound set them apart from other groups.
Funny
Causing a feeling of mirth.
His funny stories always cheer me up.
Funky
Having a strong, unpleasant odor.
The leftovers in the fridge were starting to smell funky.
Funny
Causing laughter or amusement; humorous
The play is hilariously funny
A funny story
Funky
Unusual in an interesting way.
The funky design of the furniture added a unique touch to the room.
Funny
Difficult to explain or understand; strange or odd
I had a funny feeling you'd be around
The funny thing is I can't remember much about it
I do get some funny looks
It's a funny old world
That's funny!—that vase of flowers has been moved
Funky
Frightened; panicky.
Funny
Comic strips in newspapers
I read the sports page, funnies, and editorial
Funky
Having a moldy or musty smell
Funky cheese.
Funky cellars.
Funny
A joke or witty remark
He regaled his hosts with a few funnies
I was trying to make a funny, but failed miserably
Funky
Having a strong, unpleasant odor, especially the odor of the unwashed human body
A funky locker room.
Funny
Causing laughter or amusement
A funny cartoon.
Funky
Having a style reminiscent of simple blues; bluesy.
Funny
Making or given to making amusing jokes or witticisms
A colleague who is very funny.
Funky
Of or relating to funk music.
Funny
Appropriate as the subject of a joke; deserving of a joke. Used in negative sentences to express disapproval or to emphasize the seriousness of something
There is nothing funny about getting the flu.
Funky
Hearty and simple
"At the opposite end of Dallas's culinary spectrum is funky regional fare" (Jacqueline Friedrich).
Funny
Difficult to account for; unusual or odd
I had a funny feeling that she would call.
Funky
Having an unsophisticated or old-fashioned charm; quaint or unpretentious
A funky beach town.
Funny
Suspiciously odd
It's funny how I seem to lose something every time he comes around.
Funky
Unconventional or eccentric; offbeat or odd
"a bizarre, funky [hotel] dressed up as a ship, with mock portholes and mirrored ceilings over the beds" (Ann Louise Bardach).
Funny
Counterfeit or fraudulent
Tried to pass off funny money as legitimate.
Funky
Offbeat, unconventional or eccentric.
Funny
(Informal) Somewhat ill, painful, or abnormal
I felt funny after eating those clams. "a mole on his arm that has started to go funny" (Ann Cummins).
Funky
Not quite right; of questionable quality; not appropriate to the context.
Funny
Offensively forward or disrespectful
She told him off after he started to get funny.
Funky
Cool; great; excellent.
Funny
Contrary to one's demands or expectations
Don't let the prisoners do anything funny.
Funky
Having a foul or unpleasant smell.
Funny
A joke; a witticism
"He laughed because he did not know I was not making a funny" (Jonathan Safran Foer).
Funky
(music) Relating to or reminiscent of various genres of African American music, especially funk.
Funny
Comic strips.
Funky
Relating to, or characterized by, great fear, or funking.
Funny
The section of a newspaper containing comic strips.
Funky
Pertaining to, or characterized by, great fear, or funking; having great fear.
Funny
Amusing; humorous; comical.
When I went to the circus, I only found the clowns funny.
Funky
Having an earthy, unsophisticated style or feeling;
Funny
Strange or unusual, often implying unpleasant.
The milk smelt funny so I poured it away.
I've got a funny feeling that this isn't going to work.
Funky
Offensively malodorous;
A putrid smell
Funny
Showing unexpected resentment.
Funky
(of jazz) having the soulful feeling of early blues
Funny
Homosexual; gay
Funky
In a state of cowardly fright
Funny
(informal) A joke.
Funky
Having a strong, distinctive style or character.
She wore a funky hat that caught everyone's attention.
Funny
(informal) A comic strip.
Funny
(rowing) A rowboat with both ends pointed and out of the water.
Funny
(British) A narrow clinker-built boat for sculling.
Funny
(nonstandard) In an unusual manner; strangely.
Funny
In a manner seen as being typical of a homosexual, or indicating homosexuality
Funny
Droll; comical; amusing; laughable; inciting laughter.
Funny
A clinkerbuit, narrow boat for sculling.
Funny
Arousing or provoking laughter;
An amusing film with a steady stream of pranks and pratfalls
An amusing fellow
A comic hat
A comical look of surprise
Funny stories that made everybody laugh
A very funny writer
It would have been laughable if it hadn't hurt so much
A mirthful experience
Risible courtroom antics
Funny
Beyond or deviating from the usual or expected;
A curious hybrid accent
Her speech has a funny twang
They have some funny ideas about war
Had an odd name
The peculiar aromatic odor of cloves
Something definitely queer about this town
What a rum fellow
Singular behavior
Funny
Not as expected;
There was something fishy about the accident
Up to some funny business
Some definitely queer goings-on
A shady deal
Her motives were suspect
Suspicious behavior
Funny
Experiencing odd bodily sensations;
Told the doctor about the funny sensations in her chest
Funny
In a strange manner;
A queerly inscribed sheet of paper
He acted kind of funny
Funny
In a comical manner;
She acted comically
Funny
Strange or unusual in a way that is amusing.
He made a funny face when he tasted the sour candy.
Funny
Odd or perplexing.
There was a funny noise coming from the attic.
Common Curiosities
How does funky differ from funny?
Funky refers to a strong, distinctive style or smell, while funny relates to humor and amusement.
Can something be both funny and funky?
Yes, something can have a humorous aspect (funny) and a distinctive style (funky).
Can funny be used to describe a person?
Yes, a person can be described as funny if they often cause laughter.
Is funny only used for jokes?
No, funny can describe any situation, story, or behavior that causes amusement.
Can funky describe clothing?
Yes, funky can describe clothing that has a bold, unconventional style.
Can funky describe a smell?
Yes, funky can refer to a strong, often unpleasant smell.
What does funny mean?
Funny means causing laughter or amusement.
Can funky refer to music?
Yes, funky can describe music with a distinctive, rhythmic style, especially funk music.
Is funky always positive?
No, funky can describe both positive aspects (unique style) and negative ones (unpleasant smell).
Does funny imply intentional humor?
Usually, but funny can also describe unintentionally amusing situations.
Is funny ever used to mean strange?
Yes, funny can also mean strange or unusual in a way that is perplexing.
Can funky describe behavior?
Yes, funky can describe behavior that is unconventional or distinctive.
Is funny used in formal contexts?
Funny is more casual and is typically used in informal contexts related to humor.
Can funky have a positive connotation?
Yes, funky can positively describe something unique and stylish.
Is there a cultural aspect to the word funky?
Yes, funky often relates to cultural styles, especially in music, fashion, and art.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
