Word
spank
US/ˈspæŋk/
UK/spˈæŋk/
Definition
v. to hit someone on their bottom with your open hand as a punishment. You usually see this used when talking about how parents used to discipline children.
v. to strike the buttocks with the open hand as a form of corporal punishment. Often carries a domestic or disciplinary connotation; informal in most contexts.
Examples
“The child was worried his parents would spank him for breaking the vase.”
“Many modern parenting experts advise against the decision to spank children, suggesting that positive reinforcement is more effective.”
“While historical records indicate that teachers would frequently spank students for minor infractions, contemporary educational standards have strictly prohibited any form of physical discipline in the classroom.”
Examples
simple
“The child was worried his parents would spank him for breaking the vase.”
contextual
“Many modern parenting experts advise against the decision to spank children, suggesting that positive reinforcement is more effective.”
complex
“While historical records indicate that teachers would frequently spank students for minor infractions, contemporary educational standards have strictly prohibited any form of physical discipline in the classroom.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, typically a person.
Real-World Examples
“Today, over a third of the states allow teachers to paddle or spank students.” “Nearly one third of children under five in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) experience spanking.” “The NFL football star Adrian Peterson's child abuse scandal has sparked a national debate, external in America about spanking children and the growing illegality of certain kinds of "abusive" corporal punishments.” “In a sample of parents at modal age 35 years with children aged 2 to 12 years, spanking declined over 25 years.” Etymology
Uncertain. Possibly imitative, or perhaps a special use of Etymology 2 (below) in the sense of a horse stamping its foot against the ground. There is no evidence of a relation with Portuguese espancar (“to batter, strike”).
Uncertain. Likely of Dutch or Low German origin. Compare North Frisian spanke (“to step with pride”), Saterland Frisian spankje (“to splash”), dialectal Dutch spanken (“to limp, hobble”), Dutch spankeren (“to run away quickly, gallop off”), German Low German spenkern (“to burst, explode, shatter, splash, spray”), Danish spanke (“to strut”), Swedish spånka (“to strut proudly”); originally, equivalent to span + -k. Compare also dialectal English spang (“to leap, bound; shoot out, fling”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Idioms
01. spank the monkey
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-1
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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