spank
1 Americanverb (used with object)
noun
-
spanks
plural
verb (used without object)
verb
noun
verb
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of spank1
First recorded in 1720–30; imitative
Origin of spank2
First recorded in 1800–10; back formation from spanking
Explanation
To spank is to hit someone with an open palm, especially as punishment. You should never spank your dog, even when she chews your favorite shoes; a firm "No!" is a strong enough correction. To spank is to slap, most often on the rear end. In some places, it's perfectly acceptable for a parent to spank their child for misbehaving, but spanking is increasingly seen as potentially harmful—and in some countries, it's even illegal. Spank is an imitative word, which means it was coined as an imitation of the sound of a spank on skin.
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.
See Examples For:
"He absolutely didn't deserve that. Some of those fans should take a long, hard look at themselves for the way they mocked him. I hope Villa go there and spank them, just because of that."
From BBC ● Dec. 29, 2025
Putin responded that “it’s better not to spank children and not to cite traditions,” but agreed that “unceremonious interference with the family is unacceptable,” and promised to review the law.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 14, 2021
My husband and I do not spank our son and do not believe it is ever appropriate to hit a child.
From Slate ● Oct. 20, 2019
November saw Tottenham spank Chelsea at Wembley and Manchester City claim victory in the first Manchester derby of the season.
From The Guardian ● May 14, 2019
We might therefore assume that parents who spank are unenlightened in other ways.
From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt
The ball runs towards Davies, who spanks a first-time shot over the bar from a tight angle.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 2, 2021
Perhaps it’s because it’s by and about women that it spanks the whole bunch of “prestigious” puzzle TV shows, by never letting the puzzle swamp its characters or their psychologies.
From Slate ● Jan. 31, 2019
For another thing, the movie effectively spanks snobs who claim that people aren’t into books anymore.
From Washington Post ● May 21, 2018
EST 16:30 85 min: Ribéry and Alaba combine down the left, and from Alaba’s cross, Robben sets up Müller, who spanks it into orbit.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 23, 2016
Then nobody spanks anybody any more and there is peace.
From A Study of Fairy Tales by Laura F. Kready
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
