lashing
1 Americannoun
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the act of a person or thing that lashes.
-
a whipping with or as if with a lash.
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a severe scolding; tongue-lashing.
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Chiefly British Informal. Usually lashings a large amount; an abundance (usually followed byof ).
strawberries with lashings of cream;
scallops with a lashing of olive oil.
noun
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a binding or fastening with a rope or the like.
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the rope or the like used.
noun
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a whipping; flogging
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a scolding
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informal large amounts; lots
noun
Etymology
Origin of lashing1
First recorded in 1350–1400, and in 1820–30 lashing 1 for def. 4; from Middle English lasshyng, lashynge; see origin at lash 1, -ing 1; lashing 1 def. 4 developed from the sense “to spend money lavishly or foolishly”
Origin of lashing2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
So it’s unsurprising that race is a sore spot for JD Vance, and that he’s lashing out about El-Sayed’s pointed comments.
From Salon ● Sep. 4, 2026
Another ex-leader Doug Beattie quit the UUP in May, lashing out at Burrows' leadership.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
The weather system also brought extremely strong winds and lashing rain to other parts of the Northern Marianas and the nearby separate US territory of Guam, collectively home to around 210,000 people.
From Barron's ● Jul. 5, 2026
This taught me an important, if subjective, rule: A market has probably become a bubble once the fans of an asset start lashing out at skeptics.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026
Maybe I was wrong, and maybe someday I’ll look back and regret lashing out like that.
From "Warcross" by Marie Lu
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.