spank

1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈspaŋk 

spanked; spanking; spanks

transitive verb

1

: to strike especially on the buttocks with the open hand

2

informal : to defeat decisively

… came out inspired and spanked their rivals by 23 points.

—Associated Press

spank

2 of 3

noun

plural spanks

: an act of spanking : a sharp slap or blow to the buttocks usually with the palm of the hand

spank

3 of 3

verb (2)

spanked; spanking; spanks

intransitive verb

: to move quickly, dashingly, or spiritedly

spanking along in his new car

Synonyms of spank

Noun

• slap
• thump
• blow
• hit
• punch
• smack
• knock
• lick
• whack
• thud
• swipe
• pound
• poke
• stroke
• beat
• slam
• bang

Examples of spank in a Sentence

Verb (1)

They believed that parents should not spank their children.

Noun

gave him a spank on the bottom

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

imitative

Verb (2)

back-formation from spanking

First Known Use

Verb (1)

circa 1712, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1785, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1788, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for spank

• banc
• bank
• blank
• clank
• crank
• dank
• drank
• flank
• franc
• hank
• lank
• plank

Kids Definition

spank

verb

ˈspaŋk

: to strike on the buttocks with the open hand

spank noun