wonk
/wˈɑŋk/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.29 in modern English
11
Scrabble Score
4
Letters
1
Syllables
4
Unique Chars
Meaning
Example Sentences
- "Previously, e-reading had been the domain of early adopters and new technology wonks."
- "This is the sort of standard that the Paul Ryans of the world trumpet to their constituents, to potential campaign contributors and to their peers in Congress. They become “budget wonks” and political superstars, even if their proposals are bound to go nowhere."
- "he is renowned in the dorm for his ability to “wonk” (Know spelled backward), or cram, for exams."
Etymology
American English student slang 1954; perhaps navy slang before that. "Expert" sense popularized in the Clinton administration, 1993. Origin uncertain, possibly from wonky (“shaky, unreliable”) or wank, wanker or simply expressive.
Usage
Inflected Forms
wonks (plural)
wonks (present, singular)
wonking (participle, present)
wonked (participle, past)
wonked (past)