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
1
The lower leg, between the knee and the ankle, in people or animals.
"The recipe called for two lamb shanks, slow-cooked until tender."
2
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
1
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- shanks
- Third person singular
- shanks
- Past tense
- shanked
- Comparative
- shanker
- Superlative
- shankest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for shank
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.
