"Gunk" vs. "guck": sticky words compared

Reviewed and edited by

Anwar Kareem 26/06/2025, 13:25

English.me team member

What is similar?

Both "gunk" and "guck" are informal nouns used to describe unpleasant, sticky, or messy substances. They often refer to semi-liquid or slimy material and are typically used in casual or conversational English.

What is different?

"Gunk" is more widely recognized and commonly used in English, whereas "guck" is less common and more regional. "Gunk" can also be used as a verb meaning to cover with a sticky substance, while "guck" is almost exclusively a noun. Additionally, "gunk" can refer to branded cleaning products, while "guck" does not have such associations.

Which one is more common?

Examples of usage

Gunk

There was a thick layer of gunk on the old car engine.
She scraped the gunk off her shoes after walking through the mud.

Guck

After the rain, a nasty guck collected in the gutter.
He wiped the green guck from his hands after gardening.