verb
spank
SPANGK
verb
1
To strike someone, usually a child, on the buttocks with an open hand as punishment.
"His grandmother never believed in spanking children."
2
To decisively defeat or outplay an opponent (informal).
"The home team spanked their rivals 6-0."
noun
1
A slap on the buttocks.
"The naughty puppy got nothing worse than a light spank on the nose... with a rolled-up newspaper."
How to Use Spank
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo smack on the backside, or — informally — to beat someone badly in a game or contest.
Common pairings
spank a child
spank the opposition (informal)
Word Forms
spanked past tense, spanked past tense, spanks plural, spanks plural, spanks singular, spanks singular
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His grandmother never believed in _____ children.
Etymology
Origin uncertain, likely imitative of the slapping sound itself.