kung fu

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˌkʌŋˈfuː/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈkʌŋˈ fu, ˈkʊŋ/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(kung′ fo̅o̅′, kŏŏng′)


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
kung fu /ˈkʌŋˈ fu, ˈkʊŋ/USA pronunciation  n. [uncountable]
  1. Sporta Chinese style of self-defense or martial art based on the use of smooth movements of the arms and legs.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
kung fu  (kung′ fo̅o̅′, kŏŏng′),USA pronunciation 
  1. Sportan ancient Chinese method of self-defense by striking blows at vulnerable areas of an attacker's body using fluid movements of the hands and legs.
  • Chinese gōngfú literally, skill

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
kung fu / ˈkʌŋ ˈfuː/
  1. any of various Chinese martial arts, some focusing on unarmed combat, others involving the use of weapons
Etymology: from Chinese: skill, accomplishment
'kung fu' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Lee - martial arts

Forum discussions with the word(s) "kung fu" in the title:


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