wonk
18
8.7
- noun
- /wɑŋk/
- Informal
:
experto
- "Ryan has a reputation for being a policy wonk, overwhelming people with facts and figures."
- policy wonk
So I'm a bit of a science nerd and a politics wonk and, you know, a cheeky little Pixie.
- So I'm a bit of a science nerd and a politics wonk and, you know, a cheeky little Pixie.
- We have plenty of, we got more policy wonks than we can handle.
- Corporate wonks and academic enablers will say well everyone has a different style or let's make space for the different ways that people show up.
- She is a policy wonk from Washington, DC.
Examples
-
She is a policy wonk from Washington, DC.
-
Before the Humphrey Institute anointed him as a policy wonk, Mr. Weber was a professional politician.
Blog text (14) -
Ryan gained a reputation for being a policy wonk, a man with big ideas.
Blog text (9) -
We have to start from scratch, which we policy wonks often do.
-
The presumption inherent in the policy wonk's style is that mastery of information ensures good results.
Academic text (1997) -
Mostly he enjoys being an irreverent policy wonk and writing irreverent wonkish articles for The Rag Blog.
Blog text (17) -
No longer statesmen and true diplomats, only wonks and ankle grabbers.
Blog text (16) -
A network of activists, essayists, poets, artists and photographers, wonks and dabblers, gray-bearded elders and enthusiastic young folks.
Blog text (6) -
He is considered a real wonk because of his deep knowledge of environmental policy.
-
As a dedicated wonk, she spends hours researching the latest trends in educational reform.
Synonyms
244
6.8
A person who is socially awkward and likes unusual hobbies
235
5.0
A person who is very interested in subjects like science or computers and often shy
45
6.1
A person who is very interested in and knows a lot about a subject
17
8.6
A person who is very skilled at a task or subject
1
9.6
A student who works very hard at school and is often teased
1
7.9
A student who studies a lot and seems very serious
A shy person who looks thin and likes books
Antonyms
Compounds
How Knowledgeable
292
4.2
∞
3.2
352
3.9
- Informal
18
8.7
- Informal
45
6.1
81
3.4
Surface Forms
Etymology
Wonk may come from spelling know ('to have knowledge') backwards as a playful student trick, so the idea of 'knowing' became wonk for a very studious person. So a wonk is someone who knows a lot and loves studying.