Pukka
adj.capable, resilientplayful
What it means
Genuine, properly made, and worthy of confidence.
Reach for it when giving informal British approval to something authentic or of high standard
The carpenter made a pukka repair with seasoned wood and fitted joints.
Choose between these
6- playful
the real deal
for emphatic informal assurance that something is genuine and good
not when The real deal is highly colloquial and can sound promotional.
- everyday
if the result is complete and meets the expected standard
not when Proper also covers etiquette and suitability, so quality must come from context.
- warm
for excellent quality in widely understood language
not when First-rate does not specifically promise authenticity.
- professional
where origin, method, or identity is not imitation
not when Authentic can be contentious when traditions have several legitimate forms.
- professional
when authenticity can be established without judging quality
not when Genuine may be authentic yet poorly made.
- formal
sound
when solid construction or judgment inspires confidence
not when Sound praises reliability but says nothing about origin.
Said against
3- bogus
- shoddy
- counterfeit
It naturally appears in
3- pukka job
The restored window was a pukka job, neat on both sides of the frame.
- pukka meal
After the hike, they enjoyed a pukka meal rather than another snack.
- pukka article
The dealer confirmed that the signed print was a pukka article.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English adjective sense: genuine, proper, or first-rate opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.