wonk

IPA/wɒŋk/
KK[wˈɑŋk]IPA/wɑːŋk/

wonk — noun

  • wonksingular
  • wonksplural

1. A person who is extremely interested in the small, specific details of a subject

1.名詞C1
釋義

A person who is extremely interested in the small, specific details of a subject — especially politics, policy, or a specialized area — and spends a lot of time studying, analyzing, or discussing those details.

例句

Sumin is a real policy wonk who reads every government report on education reform.

compound noun: policy wonk

The senator’s speech was full of statistics that only a budget wonk could understand.

同義詞
  • nerd

    Broader term for someone with intense intellectual enthusiasm; can apply to any field, not just policy or data

  • geek

    Similar to nerd but often carries a stronger tech or fan-obsession connotation

  • expert

    More neutral and formal; focuses on acknowledged skill rather than obsessive interest

文法句型

wonk in compound nouns: policy wonk, budget wonk

adjective + wonk: self-described wonk, admitted wonk

用法筆記

Often used with a mix of admiration and mild criticism: the speaker acknowledges the person's deep knowledge but also hints they may focus too much on details. Common in compound nouns like 'policy wonk' or 'budget wonk'.

常見錯誤

❌My boss is a total wonk who stays at work until midnight every day.
✅My boss is a total workaholic who stays at work until midnight every day.
💡'Workaholic' focuses on working long hours; 'wonk' focuses on obsessive attention to details rather than just long hours.
❌She is a wonk in Chinese history.
✅She is a China policy wonk.
💡'Wonk' usually appears in a compound (policy wonk, budget wonk, data wonk) or with an adjective rather than with 'in' + field.