wonk

noun \ˈwäŋk, ˈwȯŋk\

: a person who knows a lot about the details of a particular field (such as politics) and often talks a lot about that subject

Full Definition of WONK

: a person preoccupied with arcane details or procedures in a specialized field; broadly : nerd <a policy wonk> <a computer wonk>

— wonk·ery \ˈwäŋ-kə-rē\ noun

— wonk·ish \ˈwäŋ-kish\ adjective

— wonk·ish·ness noun

See wonk defined for English-language learners

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1954

Synonyms: bookworm, dink [slang], dork [slang], geek, grind, swot [British], weenie, nerd

Next Word in the Dictionary: wonkyPrevious Word in the Dictionary: woningAll Words Near: wonk

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