spanking

American  

[spang-king] / ˈspæŋ kɪŋ /

adjective

1. moving rapidly and smartly.

2. quick and vigorous.

   a spanking pace.

3. blowing briskly.

   a spanking breeze.

4. Informal. unusually fine, great, large, etc.; remarkable; distinctive.

   a spanking monogram in gold embroidery.

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adverb

1. Informal. extremely, strikingly, or remarkably; very.

   three little girls in spanking new dresses.

spanking ¹ British  

/ ˈspæŋkɪŋ /

adjective

1. informal outstandingly fine, smart, large, etc

2. quick and energetic; lively

3. (esp of a breeze) fresh and brisk

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spanking ² British  

/ ˈspæŋkɪŋ /

noun

1. a series of spanks, esp on the buttocks, usually as a punishment for children

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• spankingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of spanking

1660–70; perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Danish, Norwegian spanke, Swedish spånka to strut

Example Sentences

Sharon Schmeling, one of the couple’s children, said her father told her the surgery went well and that her mother had a “brand spanking new knee.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 8, 2025

The 7-0 spanking in September - described as "rock-bottom" by a Shanghai-based newspaper – followed a year-long line of humiliating defeats which included losses to Oman, Uzbekistan and Hong Kong.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2025

As a parent, it was important to April that she did things differently than her own father, and although spanking was commonplace in the 1990s, April never laid a hand on Hunter.

From Slate • Oct. 15, 2024

The spanking the 49ers took could do that.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 28, 2023

The shelters along this section of trail were mostly new and spanking clean.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson