gank

[ gangk ]

verb (used with object)

, Slang.

1. to rob or mug (a person).
2. to steal or seize (something of value).
3. (in a video game) to kill (a character), especially an outnumbered, weaker, or lower level player character:

   I got ganked in the jungle—never saw it coming.

noun

, Slang.

1. (in a video game) the killing of one character by another, especially when the killer character has a powerful or unfair advantage over the victim:

   Early ganks aren’t very effective, so you should save those attacks for later.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gank¹

First recorded in 1985–90; in 2000–05 gank fordefs 3, 4; from African American Vernacular English; further origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Like if a big guy says he’s good at video games, even though you know you’d gank him, you just keep your mouth shut.

From Literature

Grid View Lilith Walther Lilith Walther Lilith Walther Lilith Walther Lilith Walther Lilith Walther Lilith Walther Lilith Walther Lilith Walther Lilith Walther Lilith Walther As I was playing, it was a delight to feel my Bloodborne muscle memory kicking in, remembering exactly where enemies should be and being rewarded by ganking them before they could gank me.

From The Verge

Mali Gank and her husband, Cris, who live in a small town in West Virginia’s rural northeast, have gotten by on her teacher’s salary for the past three years, ever since Cris, 47, was laid off from his manufacturing job.

From Washington Post

“I must check with Bythos. When he is done talking with your friend Gank—” “Frank.”

From Literature

And then some gank piece of lingerie in the corner near the fishing gear.

From Salon