Quick answer
Zonked means exhausted, dazed, or mentally wiped out. It is usually pronounced ZONGKT, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Zonked
Zonked describes someone or something that is exhausted, dazed, or mentally wiped out. It belongs to funny-sounding words and works best in light essays, vivid dialogue, and any sentence that deserves a little bounce. It is still understandable today, but it usually sounds more vivid and deliberate than ordinary modern vocabulary.
At a glance
funny-soundingquirkymemorable
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
If something is zonked, it is exhausted, dazed, or mentally wiped out. The word usually adds a stronger tone than a simpler adjective, which is why it suits light essays, vivid dialogue, and any sentence that deserves a little bounce so well.
Why this word feels absurd
Zonked feels absurd because the shape of it looks and sounds a little awkward in exactly the right way, which helps it stick in the ear.
Origin and history
Zonked is generally traced to from zonk, an expressive informal English word. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Zonked 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
- After the overnight flight, I was completely zonked.
- The team looked zonked after the final rehearsal.
- It is an informal word that often carries a humorous tone.
- Writers use zonked when exhausted is accurate but not vivid enough.
When should you use this word?
Use zonked when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in light essays, vivid dialogue, and any sentence that deserves a little bounce.
Similar words
exhausted, wiped out, drained, spent
Opposite or contrasting words
alert, rested, energized
Common questions
- What does zonked mean? exhausted, dazed, or mentally wiped out.
- How do you pronounce zonked? It is commonly pronounced ZONGKT.
- Is zonked still used today? Zonked 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 zonked? Use zonked when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in light essays, vivid dialogue, and any sentence that deserves a little bounce.
- What words are similar to zonked? Similar words include exhausted, wiped out, drained, and spent.
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.