conk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conk" is correct and usable in written English, though it is informal and somewhat colloquial.
You can use it to refer to someone losing consciousness or to describe a sudden failure, often in a humorous or light-hearted context. Example: "After staying up all night studying, I finally conked out on the couch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

iCloud is going to be good… Just as with the iOS4/iPhone 4 release, Apple is releasing the next version of iOS two days ahead of the iPhone 4S so that its servers won't conk out.

The Guardian - Tech

She cut off her "conk" hairstyle and grew her hair naturally in an afro.

The Guardian - Books

As our minivan trundles up the steep hills, we are soon forced to switch off the air-conditioning to ensure that the engine doesn't conk out halfway up.

The Economist

By refrigerating these small creatures, attaching them to silk thread when they conk out and then weighing them down in huge tanks of water, James has photographed them in all their splendour ("the colour bleaches out in daylight") so that the velvety lustre of their wings becomes vivid.

Independent

The plot is urban "King Lear": given a diagnosis of A.L.S., Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard, with an impressive conk) must decide which of his three sons — the icy businessman, the shambolic party boy, or the sweet gay genius — will inherit Empire Enterprises.

The New Yorker

This polypore is a local conk — a thick, tough kind of polypore — but its name is proprietary information.

The New Yorker

Malcolm worked for a while on Pullman trains, clowning for the passengers, and eventually landed in Roxbury and Harlem, where he was a small-time gangster, with a conk and a zoot suit, pimping and selling dope, hanging out with musicians, hustlers, and prostitutes at famous nightspots like the Roseland Ballroom and Small's Paradise.

The New Yorker

To keep warm, he and Kanika drank tea made from some giant conk mushrooms that they'd collected.

The New Yorker

When the chute pyros shot off, the Alan Bean jolted our bones, causing the Jambox to lose its duct-tape purchase and conk MDash in the forehead.

The New Yorker

As you watch this visual metronome, you are supposed to harmonize your breathing to its beat until you conk out.

The New Yorker

"Look, Spence," Bob Schultz said, "if I stand over beside this lamp you can say something to get his attention and I'll conk him from behind — O.K.?" Positions were taken.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "conk" to mean 'fall asleep', consider the audience. It's suitable for casual conversation but might be too informal for professional writing. In such cases, try to replace it with more standard language such as "fall asleep" or "doze off".

Common error

Avoid using "conk" in formal writing or professional settings. It's generally considered too informal and may detract from the seriousness of your message.

Linguistic Context

The term "conk" functions primarily as a verb meaning to hit or lose consciousness, or as a noun referring to a nose or a type of mushroom. Ludwig's analysis shows a wide range of usages across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "conk" presents varied meanings, acting as a verb for hitting or losing consciousness and as a noun for a nose or a mushroom. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in English with the caveat of informality. Its use is common in news and media sources, though more suited for casual tones than formal reports. Related alternatives range from "fall asleep" and "hit" to descriptive terms like "large nose", each nuanced to fit specific contexts. When writing, keep its informality in mind, swapping it out for more sophisticated terms in professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hit

A direct synonym for "conk" when meaning to strike.

fall asleep

Refers specifically to the act of starting to sleep, sharing the "sleep" aspect of "conk out".

doze off

Implies a light sleep, similar to a quick "conk out".

smack

Suggests a sharp hit, like a "conk" on the head.

faint

Referring to losing consciousness.

drop off to sleep

More formal way of saying falling asleep, related to "conk out" when referring to sleep.

strike

Similar meaning when used to describe hitting someone or something.

prominent nose

Synonymous to large nose. Describes nose.

large nose

Describes a prominent nose, similar to one meaning of "conk".

oversized nose

Like the other nose descriptions. "Oversized" suggests an unusual size, related to the "conk" meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "conk out" in a sentence?

"Conk out" is often used to describe falling asleep quickly from exhaustion, such as, "After a long day at work, I usually "conk out" on the couch."

What does it mean when something "conks out"?

When something "conks out", it suddenly stops working or fails, like a machine or electronic device. For example, "The old car finally "conked out" after 20 years."

Is "conk" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "conk" is generally considered informal and is more suitable for casual conversation or informal writing. In formal contexts, use more precise language such as "fail", "stop working", or "fall asleep".

What's another word for "conk" (nose)?

When "conk" refers to a nose, especially a large one, alternatives include "proboscis", "schnoz", or simply "large nose" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.