spanking

UK: /ˈspæŋkɪŋ/ US: /ˈspæŋkɪŋ/ ,(spang′king)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

spank•ing /ˈspæŋkɪŋ/   adj. 

1. moving rapidly;
   quick and vigorous;
   brisk:
   a spanking breeze.
2. unusually fine, great, large, etc.:
   a spanking limousine.

adv. 

3. extremely;
   very:
   spanking clean.

n. 

4. an act or instance of striking a person repeatedly on the buttocks with the open hand, esp. as a punishment:
   [countable] gave her child a spanking.
   [uncountable] She doesn't believe spanking is a good form of punishment.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

spank•ing  (spang′king), adj. 

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.

adv. 

5. [Informal.] extremely, strikingly, or remarkably;
   very:
   three little girls in spanking new dresses.

• Scandinavian; compare Danish, Norwegian spanke, Swedish spånka to strut
• perh. 1660–70

spank′ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

spanking / ˈspæŋkɪŋ/ noun

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

spanking / ˈspæŋkɪŋ/ adjective (prenominal)

1. outstandingly fine, smart, large, etc
2. quick and energetic; lively
3. (esp of a breeze) fresh and brisk

Etymology: 17th Century: of uncertain origin. Compare Danish spanke to strut

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

spank¹ /spæŋk/   v. [~ + object]

1. to strike with the open hand esp. on the buttocks, as in punishment:
   never spanked their children under any circumstances.

n. [countable]

2. a blow given in spanking;
   slap:
   a quick spank.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

spank¹ (spangk),  v.t. 

1. to strike (a person, usually a child) with the open hand, a slipper, etc., esp. on the buttocks, as in punishment.

n. 

2. a blow given in spanking;
   a smart or resounding slap.

• imitative 1720–30

spank² (spangk), v.i. 

1. to move rapidly, smartly, or briskly.

• back formation from spanking 1800–10

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

spank / spæŋk/ verb

1. (transitive) to slap or smack with the open hand, esp on the buttocks

noun

1. a slap or series of slaps with the flat of the hand

Etymology: 18th Century: probably of imitative origin

spank / spæŋk/ verb

1. (intransitive) to go at a quick and lively pace

Etymology: 19th Century: back formation from spanking