Definition & Meaning
- Spank(verb): To hit someone, usually a child, on the buttocks with an open hand as a form of punishment or discipline.
- Spank(noun): The act of spanking; a slap on the buttocks.
Etymology: Mid-18th century; of imitative origin, echoing the sound of a slap.
Pronunciation
- /spæŋk/
- Rhymes with bank and thank.
Grammatical Formation
- Verb forms: spank, spanked, spanking
- Noun form: spank
- Adjective form: spankable (informal, rarely used)
Word Comparisons
- Spank vs. Slap:
- Spank = specifically hitting the buttocks.
- Slap = hitting with the hand, usually on the face or other body parts.
- Spank vs. Whip:
- Spank = done with an open hand.
- Whip = done with a stick, belt, or whip.
Changes in Meaning with Prepositions
- Spank for: “He was spanked for misbehaving.”
- Spank with: “She spanked him with a slipper.”
- Spank on: “He got spanked on the bottom.”
Real-Life Examples
Common Collocations
- spank a child
- give a spank
- deserve a spank
- sexual spanking
- spanking session
- spank hard/soft
Idiomatic / Figurative Usage
- “Brand spanking new”: Completely new, fresh, unused.
- Example: “He bought a brand spanking new car.”
- “Spank the monkey” (slang): Crude expression for male masturbation.
- “Spank out” (informal): To finish quickly or produce fast, e.g., “I spanked out a report in two hours.”
Synonyms
slap, smack, hit, strike, whip, beat
Antonyms
Related Terms
Connection to Sexuality
Yes. While spanking is traditionally associated with child discipline, in modern contexts it also has a sexual meaning. In BDSM and erotic play, spanking is used as a consensual practice for pleasure, arousal, or role-play. Thus, the word spank has both non-sexual and sexual connotations depending on context.
Sample Sentences
- “Some parents believe you should never spank a child.”
- “He was embarrassed after getting a spank in front of the class.”
- “She bought a brand spanking new laptop.”
- “In their relationship, they practiced erotic spanking as part of intimacy.”
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