monk·ish (m?ng?k?sh)adj.1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of monks or monasticism.2. Inclined to self-denial; ascetic.monk?ish·ly adv.monk?ish·ness n.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.monkish (?m??k??) adj (Ecclesiastical Terms) of, relating to, or resembling a monk or monks ?monkishly adv ?monkishness nCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014monk?ish (?m?? k??) adj. of, pertaining to, or resembling a monk: monkish piety. [1540?50] monk?ish?ly, adv. monk?ish?ness, n. Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.