spanking

American  

[spang-king] / ˈspæŋ kɪŋ /

adjective

1. moving rapidly and smartly.

2. quick and vigorous.

   a spanking pace.

3. blowing briskly.

   a spanking breeze.

4. Informal. unusually fine, great, large, etc.; remarkable; distinctive.

   a spanking monogram in gold embroidery.

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adverb

1. Informal. extremely, strikingly, or remarkably; very.

   three little girls in spanking new dresses.

spanking ¹ British  

/ ˈspæŋkɪŋ /

adjective

1. informal outstandingly fine, smart, large, etc

2. quick and energetic; lively

3. (esp of a breeze) fresh and brisk

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spanking ² British  

/ ˈspæŋkɪŋ /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• spankingly
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of spanking

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spanking

Not everyone wants a spanking new kitchen and is prepared to endure the disruption that such a renovation would cause.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2026

“When we’re launching a new movie like this, any time it’s brand spanking new, it takes a little more work to get retailers excited,” Lee said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2025

As a parent, it was important to April that she did things differently than her own father, and although spanking was commonplace in the 1990s, April never laid a hand on Hunter.

From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2024

The spanking the 49ers took could do that.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 28, 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

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