Quick answer
Conk means to hit on the head or nose; to stop working suddenly. It is usually pronounced KONK, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Conk
To conk means to hit on the head or nose; to stop working suddenly. It belongs to ridiculous verbs and works best in comic action, lively dialogue, and verbs that do more than plain “move” or “say”. It is still understandable today, but it usually sounds more vivid and deliberate than ordinary modern vocabulary.
At a glance
verbcomical-actionexpressive
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
If you conk, you to hit on the head or nose; to stop working suddenly. The verb usually suggests something more expressive, comic, or textured than a plain everyday substitute.
Why this word feels absurd
Conk feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Conk is generally traced to colloquial English. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Conk is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
Example sentences
- He conked his head on the low doorway.
- My laptop chose that moment to conk out.
- The old car conked out halfway up the hill.
- She threatened to conk him with the newspaper.
When should you use this word?
Use conk when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in comic action, lively dialogue, and verbs that do more than plain “move” or “say”.
Similar words
Bonk, Bash, Stop, Fail, Collapse
Opposite or contrasting words
Start, Revive, Repair
Common questions
- What does conk mean? to hit on the head or nose; to stop working suddenly.
- How do you pronounce conk? It is commonly pronounced KONK.
- Is conk still used today? Conk is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
- When should you use conk? Use conk when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in comic action, lively dialogue, and verbs that do more than plain “move” or “say”.
- What words are similar to conk? Similar words include Bonk, Bash, Stop, and Fail.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.