monk

1 of 2

noun (1)

Synonyms of monk
: a man who is a member of a religious order and lives in a monastery
also : friar

monk

2 of 2

noun (2)

: monkey

Examples of monk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
But experts from Zen monks to psychologists say there are mental health benefits to be found in such manual chores as sweeping, mopping and clearing away clutter. ABC News, 19 May 2026 Her healing skills soon prove invaluable, but her wild, curious nature unsettles the monks as an evil count threatens to destroy anyone who dares protect her. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 19 May 2026 There’s no record of Caedmon jotting the poem down himself—but records of it can be found in copies of a history of Christianity in England written by the Venerable Bede, an English monk and scholar, called the Ecclesiastical History of the English People. Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 18 May 2026 Even heritage British shoemakers, renowned for robust brogues and monk straps, delved into sleek leather and suede iterations. Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for monk

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English munuc, from Late Latin monachus, from Late Greek monachos, from Greek, adjective, single, from monos single, alone

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monk was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Monk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monk. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

monk

noun
ˈməŋk
: a member of a religious community made up of men who agree to give up worldly life, remain poor and unmarried, and obey all laws of their community
monkish
ˈməŋ-kish
adjective

Biographical Definition

Monk

biographical name

Thelonious Sphere 1920–1982 American jazz musician

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