Word Verb
yank
v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈjæŋk/ UK /jˈæŋk/ yank UK spelling yanked, yanking, yanks
Definition
v.to pull something suddenly and with a lot of force.
v.to pull something with a sudden, sharp movement.
Examples
“She had to yank the door open because it was stuck.”
“He reached into his bag and yanked out his keys, accidentally dropping his wallet in the process.”
“The mechanic yanked the rusted lever with both hands, finally forcing the jammed engine component to release its grip.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.
Etymology
Clipping of Yankee.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated