Spunk means courage, determination, and spirited energy, especially when facing something difficult or intimidating. Someone with spunk doesn't back down easily. They have fire in their belly and aren't afraid to speak up, try something hard, or stand their ground.

A student shows spunk when they raise their hand to answer a challenging question even though they might be wrong. An athlete shows spunk when they keep playing their hardest even when their team is losing. A kid shows spunk when they stand up to a bully or defend a friend who's being treated unfairly.

The word includes bravery along with personality, liveliness, and a refusal to be pushed around or discouraged. Someone with spunk has a spark of boldness and independence. They follow their own path instead of going along with the crowd, and they persist when things get tough.

You might hear someone say admiringly, “That kid's got spunk!” when a younger student confidently joins a game with older kids, or when someone tackles a problem everyone else thought was too hard. Spunk is that combination of courage and spirited confidence that makes people think, “Wow, they've really got something special.”