noun

shank

SHANGK

Shank (noun) means the lower leg, between the knee and the ankle, in people or animals. Example: “The recipe called for two lamb shanks, slow-cooked until tender.”

noun

The lower leg, between the knee and the ankle, in people or animals.

"The recipe called for two lamb shanks, slow-cooked until tender."

The narrow shaft or stem of a tool or object, such as a key, drill bit, or fishhook.

"The screwdriver's shank had bent slightly from overuse."

verb

In golf, to accidentally hit the ball with the part of the club head nearest the shaft, sending it off at a bad angle.

"He shanked his approach shot straight into the trees."

How to use shank

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the lower leg (especially meat cut from it) or the narrow straight part of a tool.

Common pairings

lamb shank shank of a drill bit shank a golf shot

Word forms

shanker comparative, shanked past tense, shanks plural, Shanks plural, shanks singular, shankest superlative

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The recipe called for two lamb _____, slow-cooked until tender.

Etymology

From Old English sceanca, "leg," related to old Germanic words for leg or thigh.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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stem cannon waist

Related words

result base gas branch theme root steam stem

Rhymes for shank

bank dank tank wank rank Hank drank stank plank thank frank prank

See all rhymes for shank →

Frequently asked questions

What does “shank” mean?

The word “shank” means the lower leg, between the knee and the ankle, in people or animals. In plain terms, either the lower leg (especially meat cut from it) or the narrow straight part of a tool.

How do you pronounce “shank”?

“Shank” is pronounced SHANGK (/ˈʃeɪ̯ŋk/ in IPA).

How do you use “shank” in a sentence?

Here is “shank” used in a sentence: “The recipe called for two lamb shanks, slow-cooked until tender.”

What part of speech is “shank”?

Depending on how it is used, “shank” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “shank” come from?

The word “shank” comes from Old English. From Old English sceanca, "leg," related to old Germanic words for leg or thigh.

How many meanings does “shank” have?

“Shank” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the lower leg, between the knee and the ankle, in people or animals.

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