spanking

[ spang-king ]

/ ˈspæŋ kɪŋ /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for spanking on Thesaurus.com

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.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of spanking

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

OTHER WORDS FROM spanking

spank·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby spanking

Spanish West Africa, Spanish West African, Spanish windlass, spank, spanker, spanking, span loading, spanner, span-new, span of apprehension, span of attention

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use spanking in a sentence

In another video, Jane testified, she was forced to falsely say that her father had molested her while she was still crying from a severe spanking—or “chastisement” as Kelly allegedly called such punishments—for violating one of the singer’s rules.
The Horrifying Testimony R. Kelly Needs Jurors to Forget|Pilar Melendez|August 25, 2021|The Daily Beast
Now, mission-making has nearly gone the way of venerable school traditions like smoking areas and spankings.
The Learning Curve: Why Mission Dioramas Are (Mostly) History|Randy Dotinga|August 5, 2021|Voice of San Diego
In fact, American dads outperformed their Canadian counterparts on only one of the survey measures – the use of spanking and other harsh disciplinary tactics.
Why Canadian Dads Are More Involved In Raising Their Kids Than American Fathers|LGBTQ-Editor|July 28, 2021|No Straight News
In this collection of essays, start with section one, “Spanking and Other Sexual Detours.”
The Secret Yom Kippur Reading List|Avi Steinberg|September 16, 2010|DAILY BEAST

Hes told us about how he sailed in the Spanking Sal and lost his leg fighting pirates.
The Corner House Girls Under Canvas|Grace Brooks Hill
"Spanking is too expensive nowadays," pertly added the girl, who wore her hair like a pianist.
Painted Veils|James Huneker

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