yack

American  

[yak] / yæk /

verb (used without object)

Slang.

1. yak.

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yack British  

/ jæk /

noun

1. a variant spelling of yak 2

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Usage

What does yack mean? Yack is a slang term that means to talk, especially aimlessly, without stopping, and about unimportant things. It is also spelled yak. Yack is typically used at least somewhat negatively to criticize talking in such a way and imply that it is annoying or excessive, as in Would you two stop yacking and help us? The verbs yap, yammer, and jabber are close synonyms. The related slang term yackety-yak is a noun referring to the kind of continuous and trivial conversation or talk that results from yacking. The word yack is sometimes used as a noun to mean the same thing, as is the word yacking, as in I can’t hear myself think with all that yacking. The word chatter can be used as a synonym of both the noun and verb sense of yack. Unrelatedly, yack is sometimes also used as a slang term meaning to vomit, as in Ugh, I feel like I’m going to yack. Example: My mom yacks on the phone with my aunt for hours about anything and everything.

Other Word Forms

• yacker
  noun

Example Sentences

Those vibrations trigger electrical signals in the insects’ nerves, which Yack can record.

From Fox News • Oct. 18, 2018

Mike Yack has left the workforce twice in the last eight years and calls himself retired, yet at age 62 the former General Motors employee does not consider his working life over.

From Reuters • Aug. 20, 2014

Yack, who says he can get by on Social Security and his GM pension, is among millions of Americans who could re-enter the U.S. labor force if the economy improves.

From Reuters • Aug. 20, 2014

Yack Martinez led the Dominican Republic with 16 points.

From New York Times • Jul. 9, 2012

Jansen and Jemmy Ducks, after the dancing chorus had finished, Yack alive and merry, my boys, Ven he get him frau, And he vid her ringlet toys, As he take her paw.

From Snarleyyow by Marryat, Frederick