# bunk

> English word · Noun · IPA /bʌŋk/ · frequency rank #15,972

## Definitions
1. One of a series of berths or beds placed in tiers.
2. A built-in bed on board ship, often erected in tiers one above the other.
3. A cot.
4. A wooden case or box, which serves for a seat in the daytime and for a bed at night.
5. A piece of wood placed on a lumberman's sled to sustain the end of heavy timbers.
6. A dormitory or bunkroom where soldiers sleep.

## Etymology
Sense of sleeping berth possibly from Scottish English bunker (“seat, bench”), origin is uncertain but possibly Scandinavian.
Compare Old Swedish bunke (“boards used to protect the cargo of a ship”).
See also boarding, flooring and compare bunch.

## Easily confused with
- **but** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-but)
- **buy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-buy)
- **bus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-bus)
- **bur** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-bur)
- **busy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-busy)
- **burn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-burn)
- **bush** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-bush)
- **butt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-butt)
- **buzz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-buzz)
- **bust** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-bust)
- **buys** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-buys)
- **bury** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-bury)
- **Burt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-burt)
- **buns** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-buns)
- **burr** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-burr)
- **buoy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-buoy)
- **buss** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-buss)
- **bunt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-bunt)
- **Burg** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-burg)
- **burp** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bunk-vs-burp)

## Common misspellings (6)
`bbunk`, `bnuk`, `bukn`, `bunkk`, `bunnk`, `ubnk`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/bunk