hunks

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A crotchety or surly person.

Register: dated, slang

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

What of it, if some old hunks of a sea-captain orders me to get a broom and sweep down the decks? What does that indignity amount to, weighed, I mean, in the scales of the New Testament? Do you think the archangel Gabriel thinks anything the less of me, because I promptly and respectfully obey that

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A stingy man; a miser.

Register: dated, slang

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “hunks” mean?

A crotchety or surly person.

Is “hunks” formal or informal?

hunks is generally dated, slang.