hunk
B2informal
Definition
Meaning
a large, thick piece of something, often food.
an informal term for an attractive, well-built man.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a piece of something, 'hunk' often implies a substantial, possibly rough-cut portion. As a reference to a man, it is primarily informal and objectifying, focusing on physical appearance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both senses are used in both varieties. The 'attractive man' sense may be slightly more prevalent in US media, but the term is well-understood in the UK.
Connotations
The 'attractive man' connotation carries a somewhat objectifying tone in both varieties. The 'piece' meaning is neutral.
Frequency
The 'attractive man' sense is common in informal, media, and conversational contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[article/determiner] + hunk + of + [uncountable noun/material]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hunk of change (US: a large amount of money)”
- “hunker down (different verb)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except perhaps informally ('a hunk of the market').
Academic
Rare, except in descriptive contexts (e.g., geology: 'a hunk of granite').
Everyday
Common for food and informal descriptions of people.
Technical
Can appear in materials science or cooking.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A as a standard verb. 'Hunker' is a different verb.
American English
- N/A as a standard verb. 'Hunker' is a different verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A as an adverb.
American English
- N/A as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- N/A as an adjective.
American English
- N/A as an adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He ate a big hunk of bread.
- Give me a hunk of cheese, please.
- The recipe calls for a hunk of beef.
- She cut a hunk of butter from the block.
- The sculpture was carved from a single hunk of marble.
- My sister is always talking about some new hunk she saw on TV.
- The deal secured them a significant hunk of the emerging market.
- The film's lead was cast not for acting prowess but merely to be a brooding hunk.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HUNK of cheese – it's HUNGRY-making and substantial.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESIRABLE THINGS ARE FOOD ('She's eyeing that hunk across the room'). MASS IS SOLID ('A hunk of data').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'ханж' (hypocrite). The 'attractive man' sense has no direct single-word equivalent; 'красавец' is more polite, 'качок' focuses on muscles. 'Кусок' is the direct equivalent for the 'piece' meaning.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hunk' in formal writing to describe a person. Confusing 'a hunk of' with 'a heap of' (which is looser, pile-like).
Practice
Quiz
In informal contexts, calling someone 'a hunk' primarily comments on their:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and can be considered objectifying. It focuses solely on physical attractiveness, particularly a muscular build.
Yes, it can describe any solid, substantial piece of material (e.g., 'a hunk of metal', 'a hunk of concrete').
They are often interchangeable for 'piece'. 'Hunk' may imply a slightly more irregular or substantial piece, while 'chunk' is more neutral and common.
It is exclusively a noun in standard modern English. The verb is 'hunker' (to squat or settle in).