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pukka

adjective
puk·​ka | \ ˈpə-kə How to pronounce pukka (audio) \
variants: or less commonly

Definition of pukka

: genuine, authentic also : first-class
Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about pukka

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Did You Know?

Pukka tends to evoke the height of 18th- and 19th-century British imperialism in India, and, indeed, it was first used in print in English in 1776, in transcripts of the trial of Maha Rajah Nundocomar, who was accused of forgery and tried, in 1775, by a British court in Bengal. The word is borrowed from Hindi and Urdu "pakkā," which means "solid." The English speakers who borrowed it applied the "sound and reliable" sense of "solid" and thus the word came to mean "genuine." As the British Raj waned, "pukka" was occasionally appended to "sahib" (an Anglo-Indian word for a European of some social or official status). That expression is sometimes used as a compliment for an elegant and refined gentleman, but it can also imply that someone is overbearing and pretentious. These days, "pukka" is also used as a British slang word meaning "excellent" or "cool."

Examples of pukka in a Sentence

wondering whether the old-looking ivory box was pukka—or just something recently manufactured in China

Recent Examples on the Web

 And if my name were Nikki or Bobby, the state of the state would be pukka — sorry, strong. — Anand Giridharadas, New York Times, "How Nikki Haley Was Redeemed by Donald Trump," 13 Jan. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pukka.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of pukka

1776, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for pukka

Hindi & Urdu pakkā cooked, ripe, solid, from Sanskrit pakva; akin to Greek pessein to cook — more at cook

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More Definitions for pukka

pukka

adjective
How to pronounce pukka (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of pukka

British, informal : very good

See the full definition for pukka in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on pukka

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with pukka

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pukka

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