spanking
Americanadjective
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moving rapidly and smartly.
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quick and vigorous.
a spanking pace.
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blowing briskly.
a spanking breeze.
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Informal. unusually fine, great, large, etc.; remarkable; distinctive.
a spanking monogram in gold embroidery.
adverb
adjective
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informal outstandingly fine, smart, large, etc
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quick and energetic; lively
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(esp of a breeze) fresh and brisk
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of spanking
1660–70; perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Danish, Norwegian spanke, Swedish spånka to strut
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.
Sharon Schmeling, one of the couple’s children, said her father told her the surgery went well and that her mother had a “brand spanking new knee.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 8, 2025
The spanking the 49ers took could do that.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 28, 2023
She debunks myths about spanking, including the idea that physical discipline of children has roots in Africa.
From Slate ● Apr. 21, 2023
When you have the American flag behind you, anybody can give a sharp, spanking speech.
From Washington Times ● Feb. 20, 2023
It may be that honesty is more important to good parenting than spanking is to bad parenting. matters: The child’s parents are involved in the PTA. doesn't: The child frequently watches television.
From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt
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.
