hunkyadj.1
/ˈhʌŋki/, U.S. /ˈhəŋki/ U.S. slang.
In good condition; safe and sound; all right: = hunk adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > [adjective]
safec1325
unharmed1340
safe and soona1393
sicker and safea1398
halea1400
lotlessa1400
harmless1418
unsunkc1586
hunk1856
hunky1861
1861 ‘A. Ward’ in Vanity Fair (N.Y.) 15 June 273/1 He (Moses) folded her to his hart, with the remark that he was ‘a hunkey boy’.
1878 B. Harte Man on Beach 47 She's all hunky, and has an appetite.
1889 K. Munroe Golden Days of ’49 xii. 125 If I'd took good care of that map..we'd been all hunky at this minute.
1907 C. E. Mulford Bar-20 ix. 105 That was all hunky for a while.
1926 Bulletin 21 Oct. 4/2 I'll be all hunky. Nurse Dainton tends me like I was made of glass.
Derivatives
ˌhunky-ˈdory adj. (also hunky-ˈdorey) [second element of unknown origin] satisfactory, fine.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being satisfactory > [adjective] > highly satisfactory
OK1839
hunky-dory1866
(all) Sir Garnet1894
kayo1923
hotsy-totsy1924
oojah-cum-spiff1930
patsy1930
not shabby1975
alpha minus1989
1866 Galaxy 1 Oct. 275 I cannot conceive on any theory of etymology..why anything that is ‘hunkee doree’..should be so admirable.
1868 in G. C. D. Odell Ann. N.Y. Stage (1936) VIII. 390 [Even Samuel Slater admitted that Tostee, when and if she sang, was] hunky~dory.
1907 N. Munro Daft Days xxi. 188 Before one marries it's hunky-dory—it's fairy all the time.
1907 M. C. Harris Tents of Wickedness iv. ii. 341 I've had my luncheon, and I feel better already. Oh, it's all hunky-dory.
1943 N. Balchin Small Back Room 172 Well, unless the electricity they taught me is all wrong, that ought to be hunky-dory.
1956 D. M. Davin Sullen Bell iii. iv. 233 I thought everything was hunkydory and you were well on the way to being a big executive.
1969 J. Gardner Founder Member ii. 17 Everythink's 'unkey dorey 'ere. No problem.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
hunkyadj.2
/ˈhʌŋki/, U.S. /ˈhəŋki/ Thick-set, solidly built.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily shape or physique > broad shape or physique > [adjective]
stalworthc1175
thicka1250
stubblea1300
quarryc1300
stalworthyc1300
stoura1350
sturdyc1386
buirdlya1400
squarec1430
couragec1440
craskc1440
substantialc1460
ample1485
stalwart1508
puddinga1540
full-bodied1588
robust1666
two-handed1687
swankinga1704
strapping1707
broad-set1708
thick-set1724
throddy?1748
thick-bodied1752
broad-built1771
junky1825
swankie1838
stodgy1854
wide-bodied1854
beefish1882
hunky1911
buff1982
buffed1986
1911 E. Ferber Dawn O'Hara vii. 89 Rather be hunky and healthy than skinny and sick.
1959 Listener 23 Apr. 733/1 A vast, hunky, surly man.
Draft additions 1993
In modern use, spec. (of a man) sexually attractive, ruggedly handsome. colloquial (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual desire > [adjective] > causing sexual excitement or desire > specifically of a man
hunky1978
1978 Washington Post 22 Dec. c4/1 They seem to be anticipating national palpitations when Tomlin sighs, ‘Oh, Strip’ or ‘Mmmmmmmm’ at Travolta's hunky nearness.
1980 Photo-Love Summer Spectacular 4/4 This hunky guy came and sat down beside me.
1990 Village Voice (N.Y.) 30 Jan. 83/4 Michael Patton pranced his hunky bod around.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1976; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.11861adj.21911