Wonk
noun
A person who studies a subject or issue in an excessively detailed or precise way. Usually an expert in their field.
He's a real policy wonk; he knows all the ins and outs of government taxation schemes.
Often appears as...
- policy wonk
- computer wonk
Usage tips
Informal
noun
Someone who works very hard, especially by studying more than is necessary.
She is a real wonk, she always spends so much time studying for exams.
Often appears as...
- study wonk
- work wonk
Usage tips
Informal, Approving
noun
A person who studies a subject or issue in an excessively detailed or precise way. Usually an expert in their field.
He's a real policy wonk; he knows all the ins and outs of government taxation schemes.
Often appears as...
- policy wonk
- computer wonk
Usage tips
Informal
noun
Someone who works very hard, especially by studying more than is necessary.
She is a real wonk, she always spends so much time studying for exams.
Often appears as...
- study wonk
- work wonk
Usage tips
Informal, Approving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Specialized Interest
Used for someone incredibly focused on a specific subject, often implying depth of knowledge.
Mia became a tech wonk, always updated on the latest gadgets.
Pro Tip 2/3Positive Connotation
Although nerdy, 'wonk' generally implies respect for someone's expertise.
The environmental wonks presented a new sustainable development plan.
Pro Tip 3/3Professional Jargon
Often used in professional or academic contexts, rather than casual conversation.
Our economics wonk can forecast market trends with uncanny accuracy.
Pro Tip 1/3Specialized Interest
Used for someone incredibly focused on a specific subject, often implying depth of knowledge.
Mia became a tech wonk, always updated on the latest gadgets.
Pro Tip 2/3Positive Connotation
Although nerdy, 'wonk' generally implies respect for someone's expertise.
The environmental wonks presented a new sustainable development plan.
Pro Tip 3/3Professional Jargon
Often used in professional or academic contexts, rather than casual conversation.
Our economics wonk can forecast market trends with uncanny accuracy.
Pro Tip 1/3Specialized Interest
Used for someone incredibly focused on a specific subject, often implying depth of knowledge.
Mia became a tech wonk, always updated on the latest gadgets.
Pro Tip 2/3Positive Connotation
Although nerdy, 'wonk' generally implies respect for someone's expertise.
The environmental wonks presented a new sustainable development plan.
Pro Tip 3/3Professional Jargon
Often used in professional or academic contexts, rather than casual conversation.
Our economics wonk can forecast market trends with uncanny accuracy.
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Video examples
Recruiting Women for...
support and train republican women to run for office um you know my background is really i come from a moderate republican family we talked politics around the dining room table i came to dc right after college um and i love public policy i'm a wonk i'm a nerd um and i really
Video examples
Steven Pinker and...
But is this necessarily a bad thing? Perhaps reason is overrated. Many pundits have argued that a good heart and steadfast moral clarity are superior to triangulations of overeducated policy wonks, like the best and brightest and that dragged us
Video examples
Recruiting Women for...
support and train republican women to run for office um you know my background is really i come from a moderate republican family we talked politics around the dining room table i came to dc right after college um and i love public policy i'm a wonk i'm a nerd um and i really
Video examples
Steven Pinker and...
But is this necessarily a bad thing? Perhaps reason is overrated. Many pundits have argued that a good heart and steadfast moral clarity are superior to triangulations of overeducated policy wonks, like the best and brightest and that dragged us
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Steve Largent
American Athlete
I always felt the gifts you need as governor were more suited for my personality. I'm a good team player, but I'm not a policy wonk. In Congress, you need 218 votes to make anything happen. When you're governor, you're the CEO of the state. You establish the vision and standards for the state. You're the leader.
Quote examples
Douglas Wilder
American Politician
Government or politics in America today is big business. Everybody makes money involving themselves in one way or the other, whether it's pollsters, whether they are policy wonks, whether they are pundits, whether they are those who believe that they must call it as they see it and then to be fair about it.
Quote examples
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Lebanese Scientist
We are victims of the post-Enlightenment view that the world functions like a sophisticated machine, to be understood like a textbook engineering problem and run by wonks. In other words, like a home appliance, not like the human body.
Quote examples
Adam Curtis
British Director
The problem with wonks is that they can't deal with emotion and feeling, and they don't like stories. It means that they cannot connect at all with the feelings and imaginations of the voters.
Quote examples
Peter York
British Journalist
There is an interior style we intellectuals and design policy wonks know as Haut Euro Pooftastic, which really takes the biscuit.
Quote examples
Peter Morgan
British Writer
I am not a politics wonk. I like the idea of my writing reflecting more about who I am or other people.
Quote examples
Jimmy Smits
American Actor
I'm not a policy wonk - I'm somewhere between being undecided and a surrogate.
Quote examples
Andrew Shaffer
American Author
Biden is actually a wonk at heart. Despite his gaffes, he's very cerebral.
Quote examples
Clint Howard
American Actor
I'm not a policy wonk, and I don't dream of being a political operative.
Quote examples
Nouriel Roubini
American Economist
I'm a rock star among geeks, wonks, and nerds.
Quote examples
Steve Largent
American Athlete
I always felt the gifts you need as governor were more suited for my personality. I'm a good team player, but I'm not a policy wonk. In Congress, you need 218 votes to make anything happen. When you're governor, you're the CEO of the state. You establish the vision and standards for the state. You're the leader.
Quote examples
Douglas Wilder
American Politician
Government or politics in America today is big business. Everybody makes money involving themselves in one way or the other, whether it's pollsters, whether they are policy wonks, whether they are pundits, whether they are those who believe that they must call it as they see it and then to be fair about it.
Quote examples
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Lebanese Scientist
We are victims of the post-Enlightenment view that the world functions like a sophisticated machine, to be understood like a textbook engineering problem and run by wonks. In other words, like a home appliance, not like the human body.
Quote examples
Adam Curtis
British Director
The problem with wonks is that they can't deal with emotion and feeling, and they don't like stories. It means that they cannot connect at all with the feelings and imaginations of the voters.
Quote examples
Peter York
British Journalist
There is an interior style we intellectuals and design policy wonks know as Haut Euro Pooftastic, which really takes the biscuit.
Quote examples
Peter Morgan
British Writer
I am not a politics wonk. I like the idea of my writing reflecting more about who I am or other people.
Quote examples
Jimmy Smits
American Actor
I'm not a policy wonk - I'm somewhere between being undecided and a surrogate.
Quote examples
Andrew Shaffer
American Author
Biden is actually a wonk at heart. Despite his gaffes, he's very cerebral.
Quote examples
Clint Howard
American Actor
I'm not a policy wonk, and I don't dream of being a political operative.
Quote examples
Nouriel Roubini
American Economist
I'm a rock star among geeks, wonks, and nerds.
Example 1 of 10
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