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spanking

[ spang-king ]
/ ˈspæŋ kɪŋ /
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adjective
moving rapidly and smartly.
quick and vigorous: a spanking pace.
blowing briskly: a spanking breeze.
Informal. unusually fine, great, large, etc.; remarkable; distinctive: a spanking monogram in gold embroidery.
adverb
Informal. extremely, strikingly, or remarkably; very: three little girls in spanking new dresses.
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Origin of spanking

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

OTHER WORDS FROM spanking

spank·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use spanking in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for spanking (1 of 2)

spanking1
/ (ˈspæŋkɪŋ) /

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

British Dictionary definitions for spanking (2 of 2)

spanking2
/ (ˈspæŋkɪŋ) /

adjective (prenominal)
informal outstandingly fine, smart, large, etc
quick and energetic; lively
(esp of a breeze) fresh and brisk

Word Origin for spanking

C17: of uncertain origin. Compare Danish spanke to strut
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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