adj

whacking

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Whacking (adj) means Informal: unusually large; enormous (often paired with another adjective like "great" or "big"). Example: “He told a whacking great lie to get out of trouble.”

adj

Informal: unusually large; enormous (often paired with another adjective like "great" or "big").

"He seizes on an opportunity to buy a house at a repo-auction, planning to sell it on for a whacking profit." — Peter Bradshaw, House of Sand and Fog (2004)

"There was no secret in Genoa about the destination of the little tramp with the peculiar equipment of lifeboats and davits—two whacking great motor boats each as big as a Navy pinnace, each with a couple of hundred horse-power in her." — Neville Shute (1926)

"He told a whacking great lie to get out of trouble."

"If any of you want a whacking lot of experience, lots of thrills to the minute and can pay your own freight, sign up for that trip to the land of the Northern Lights." — Delta Sigma Delta-Desmos (1932)

How to use whacking

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishVery big — used to intensify another adjective.

When to use it

Mostly British colloquial usage, as in "a whacking great house."

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “whacking” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He told a _____ great lie to get out of trouble.

Antonyms

small little

Related words

much little big few small short bit river

Rhymes for whacking

hacking backing lacking jacking sacking racking cracking blacking clacking tracking quacking smacking

See all rhymes for whacking →

Frequently asked questions

What does “whacking” mean?

The word “whacking” means informal: unusually large; enormous (often paired with another adjective like "great" or "big"). In plain terms, very big — used to intensify another adjective.

How do you use “whacking” in a sentence?

Here is “whacking” used in a sentence: “He told a whacking great lie to get out of trouble.”

What part of speech is “whacking”?

“Whacking” is an adjective.

What is the meaning of whacking?

"whacking" (adj) means informal: unusually large; enormous (often paired with another adjective like "great" or "big").

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much little big few small short bit river