spanking

[ spang-king ]

adjective

1. moving rapidly and smartly.
2. quick and vigorous:

   a spanking pace.

3. blowing briskly:

   a spanking breeze.

4. Informal. unusually fine, great, large, etc.; remarkable; distinctive:

   a spanking monogram in gold embroidery.

adverb

1. Informal. extremely, strikingly, or remarkably; very:

   three little girls in spanking new dresses.

spanking

¹

/ ˈspæŋkɪŋ /

noun

1. a series of spanks, esp on the buttocks, usually as a punishment for children

spanking

²

/ ˈspæŋkɪŋ /

adjective

1. informal.
   outstandingly fine, smart, large, etc
2. quick and energetic; lively
3. (esp of a breeze) fresh and brisk

Other Words From

• spanking·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of spanking¹

1660–70; perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Danish, Norwegian spanke, Swedish spånka to strut

Word History and Origins

Origin of spanking¹

C17: of uncertain origin. Compare Danish spanke to strut

Example Sentences

In another video, Jane testified, she was forced to falsely say that her father had molested her while she was still crying from a severe spanking—or “chastisement” as Kelly allegedly called such punishments—for violating one of the singer’s rules.

From The Daily Beast

Now, mission-making has nearly gone the way of venerable school traditions like smoking areas and spankings.

From Voice of San Diego

In fact, American dads outperformed their Canadian counterparts on only one of the survey measures – the use of spanking and other harsh disciplinary tactics.

From No Straight News

In this collection of essays, start with section one, “Spanking and Other Sexual Detours.”

From The Daily Beast

Hes told us about how he sailed in the Spanking Sal and lost his leg fighting pirates.

From Project Gutenberg

"Spanking is too expensive nowadays," pertly added the girl, who wore her hair like a pianist.

From Project Gutenberg