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:
Liverpool are not just in the top half, they are a top team and they are in top spot - and they are going to spank them.
From BBC ● Dec. 14, 2023
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
“It doesn’t matter what I believe. The hospital’s gotta spank somebody, and I was an easy target. It’s just the way things work.”
From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman
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
Rapinoe with it … and she spanks it into orbit.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 12, 2015
David Luiz sizes it up and spanks an ambitious effort straight at Mannone, the young Italian dealing with an awkward bounce right in front of him.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 29, 2012
That misguided woman denudes him, washes him, rubs soap into his eyes, spanks him, re-arrays him, and sets him in a clean place, giving him a teaspoon to play with.
From Such Is Life by Joseph Furphy
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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.
