spunk

Unlike the new kid who’s got spunk and talent, Sonny has the competence to back up his flair.

From Salon ● Jun. 30, 2025

Lorelai’s spunk is presented as a secret to her success: Having been a teen mom, she drips with “up by your bootstraps” energy.

From Slate ● Apr. 14, 2025

“Coastal Funk” brings together work by Robert Arneson, one of funk’s godfathers, and contemporary artists keeping the spunk of funk alive.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 24, 2024

Here two dancers costumed as the critters cleverly act the tale, and they continue to devilishly pop up throughout, adding needed fanciful color and spunk.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 28, 2024

Margot and Peter are always saying to me, “If I had your spunk and your strength, if I had your drive and unflagging energy, I could...!”

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

He looked hard at me wi' a pair o' een that glowed like twa spunks, and then he says, says he: "You've been born in these pairts, I understan'?"

From The Mystery of Cloomber by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Advocate, who is not without some spunks of a remainder decency, has wrung your life-safe out of Symon and the Duke.

From David Balfour, Second Part Being Memoirs Of His Adventures At Home And Abroad, The Second Part: In Which Are Set Forth His Misfortunes Anent The Appin Murder; His Troubles With Lord Advocate Grant; Captivity On The Bass Rock; Journey Into Holland And France; And Singular Relations With James More Drummond Or Macgregor, A Son Of The Notorious Rob Roy, And His Daughter Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson

Then some person invented strips of wood dipped in sulphur and called "spunks."

From Home Life in Colonial Days by Alice Morse Earle

She spunks up and her eyes sparkles whenever she thinks about that there tobaccer trust.

From Danny's Own Story by Don Marquis

An' the haill apotheck lay in spails, As the grey mear warsled free; An' when auld Jock Smairt saw the fashion o' his cairt: "Wha's seekin' ony spunks?" says he.

From The Auld Doctor and other Poems and Songs in Scots by David Rorie