What does "spank" mean?
An instance of spanking, separately or part of a multiple blows-beating; a smack, swat, or slap.
Spank
/spæŋk/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An instance of spanking, separately or part of a multiple blows-beating; a smack, swat, or slap.
- Grammar: spank is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: admonish, bang, baste, bastinado.
- Useful contrasts: close game, concede, gentle discipline.
- Usage evidence: His splenetic father threatened to spank him if he didn't behave himself.
How to use "spank"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "spank" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "spank" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "spank" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "spank" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "admonish" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An instance of spanking, separately or part of a multiple blows-beating; a smack, swat, or slap.
"Three men were about a foot behind my left shoulder trading off spanks on each others butts."
- 2 A leap or bound. dialectal
- 3 a slap with the flat of the hand wordnet
- 4 A slapping sound, as produced by spanking.
- 5 An instance of masturbation. euphemistic, slang
"spank bank"
Verb
- 1 To beat, smack or slap a person's buttocks, with the bare hand or other object, as punishment, or for sexual gratification. transitive
- 2 To move quickly and nimbly on foot; to stride or run at a brisk pace. intransitive
- 3 give a spanking to; subject to a spanking wordnet
- 4 To soundly defeat, to trounce. transitive
- 5 To move or turn rapidly, as the gears of a machine or the sails of a ship. intransitive
"The ship was really spanking along."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 To hit very hard. transitive
"Spurs had a free-kick on the edge of the Liverpool box. Érik Lamela spanked it low into the wall, got the ball back, played it out to Christian Eriksen."
- 7 To shoot out or throw violently; to hurl or knock out. ambitransitive
Example
"His splenetic father threatened to spank him if he didn't behave himself."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "spank"?
Common synonyms include: admonish, bang, baste, bastinado, batter, beat.
How do you use "spank" in a sentence?
His splenetic father threatened to spank him if he didn't behave himself.
How do you pronounce "spank"?
Pronounced /spæŋk/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Uncertain. Possibly imitative, or perhaps a special use of Etymology 2 (below) in the sense of a horse stamping its foot against the ground. There is no evidence of a relation with Portuguese espancar (“to batter, strike”).
Etymology 2
Uncertain. Likely of Dutch or Low German origin. Compare North Frisian spanke (“to step with pride”), Saterland Frisian spankje (“to splash”), dialectal Dutch spanken (“to limp, hobble”), Dutch spankeren (“to run away quickly, gallop off”), German Low German spenkern (“to burst, explode, shatter, splash, spray”), Danish spanke (“to strut”), Swedish spånka (“to strut proudly”); originally, equivalent to span + -k. Compare also dialectal English spang (“to leap, bound; shoot out, fling”).