whack

¹ American  

[hwak, wak] / ʰwæk, wæk /

verb (used with object)

1. to strike with a smart, resounding blow or blows.

2. Slang. to divide into or take in shares (often followed byup ).

   Whack the loot between us two.

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verb (used without object)

1. to strike a smart, resounding blow or blows.

noun

1. a smart, resounding blow.

   a whack with his hand.

2. Informal. a trial or attempt.

   to take a whack at a job.

   Synonyms:

   turn, go, try

3. Slang. a portion or share.

verb phrase

1. whack out to produce quickly or, sometimes, carelessly.

   She whacks out a short story every week or so.

2. whack off

   1. to cut off or separate with a blow.

      The cook whacked off the fish's head.

   2. Slang: Vulgar. to masturbate.

idioms

1. out of whack, out of order or alignment; not in proper condition.

whack ² American  

[hwak, wak] / ʰwæk, wæk /

noun

1. a variant of wack.

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whack British  

/ wæk /

verb

1. to strike with a sharp resounding blow

2. informal (usually passive) to exhaust completely

3. informal (tr; usu foll by in or on) to put something on to or into something else with force or abandon

   whack on some sunscreen

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noun

1. slang (tr) to murder

   if you were out of line you got whacked

2. a sharp resounding blow or the noise made by such a blow

3. informal a share or portion

4. informal a try or attempt (esp in the phrase have a whack at )

5. informal out of order; unbalanced

   the whole system is out of whack

interjection

1. an exclamation imitating the noise of a sharp resounding blow

whack More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing whack

• have a crack (whack) at
• out of kilter (whack)

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Other Word Forms

• whacker
  noun

Etymology

Origin of whack

First recorded in 1710–20; originally dialect, Scots form of thwack; cf. whang ², whittle

Example Sentences

The bakery now has a long-term lease, as do other graduates of the program, including Mello flower shop, arts-and-crafts studio Craftivity and Whack Donuts.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

Whack it about for the first hour or bat for as long as they can?

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2024

“I sound great when I’m singing in the shower,” Whack declares on this single from her forthcoming album “World Wide Whack.”

From New York Times • Jan. 26, 2024

Whack is due back in court on April 1.

From Fox News • Mar. 29, 2022

My cousin's shout comes from the bench: "Whack it, Anna! And then run to Jenna. Martha, take it easy on her, will you?"

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

Related Words

• wallop