noun
Uncommon
spanking
SPANG-kihng
Spanking (noun) means a punishment involving smacking someone, usually a child, on the buttocks. Example: “He got a spanking for breaking the neighbor's window.”
noun
1
A punishment involving smacking someone, usually a child, on the buttocks.
"He got a spanking for breaking the neighbor's window."
adjective
1
Very fast, fresh, or impressively new (informal, as in "brand spanking new").
"She drove up in a spanking new sports car."
How to use spanking
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the punishment of smacking someone's bottom, or an intensifier meaning "very" (as in brand spanking new).
Common pairings
brand spanking new
give a spanking
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like spanking.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- spankings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He got a _____ for breaking the neighbor's window.
Etymology
Formed from spank ("to punish by swatting") plus -ing, both the participial suffix and the gerundial suffix.
Related words
Rhymes for spanking
See all rhymes for spanking →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of spanking?
"spanking" (noun) means a punishment involving smacking someone, usually a child, on the buttocks.
What is another word for spanking?
Other words for "spanking" include striking, rattling, zippy, alert, merry, snappy.
What are the different meanings of spanking?
"spanking" has 2 main meanings: 1. A punishment involving smacking someone, usually a child, on the buttocks; 2. Very fast, fresh, or impressively new (informal, as in "brand spanking new").
How do you use spanking in a sentence?
Example: "He got a spanking for breaking the neighbor's window."
