kung-fu

Noun

kung fu (countable and uncountable, plural kung fu)

1. (countable) A Chinese martial art.
   • Everybody was kung-fu fighting / Those kicks were fast as lightning1974, Carl Douglas, “Kung Fu Fighting”, performed by Carl Douglas

   Synonyms:

   wushu

2. The Chinese martial arts collectively.
   • Along the way, they meet Master Wong, who teaches them kung fu and imparts nuggets of Chinese philosophy, knowledge and training that they eventually use to defeat their nemesis and save their village.2021 March 31, Melissa Chen, “Opinion ‘Kung Fu Cavemen’ isn’t racist — just the victim of moral panic by a self-righteous few”, in New York Post

   Synonyms:

   wushu

3. (slang) A mastery of or expertise in a skill
   1. (slang) A mastery of or expertise in computer programming, hacking, or cracking

See all 5 meanings of kung fu