Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of striking someone on the buttocks, typically as punishment: A physical correction or disciplinary action, usually administered with an open hand.
2. Adjective:
   • Exceptionally good, excellent, or impressive: Used informally to describe something of remarkable quality or appearance.
   • Brisk, lively, or fast-moving: Describes something with a vigorous, energetic, or rapid pace.
3. Adverb:
   • Extremely, very: Used as an intensifier, often informally, to mean "to a remarkable degree."

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old-fashioned discipline involved a spanking for misbehavior.
  • He received a spanking for his rude remark.
• Adjective:
  • We had a spanking new car. (Meaning: brand new, excellent)
  • A spanking breeze filled the sails. (Meaning: brisk, strong)
• Adverb:
  • She is a spanking good writer. (Meaning: extremely good)

Advanced Usage

• "Spanking new": An idiom meaning completely new, often with a sense of freshness and pristine condition.
  • They moved into a spanking new apartment.
• "Spanking clean": An idiom meaning very clean, spotless.
  • After hours of scrubbing, the kitchen was spanking clean.

Variants and Related Words

• Spank (verb): To slap someone on the buttocks as punishment or for other reasons.
  • Parents debate whether to spank their children.
• Spanker (noun, archaic): Something exceptionally large or fine of its kind; also, a fore-and-aft sail on the mizzenmast of a sailing ship.

Synonyms

• Noun: Slapping, paddling, smacking, whacking.
• Adjective (for "excellent"): Superb, splendid, first-rate, capital.
• Adjective (for "brisk"): Brisk, lively, energetic, vigorous, snappy.

Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

• A spanking pace: A very fast speed or rate.
  • The horses set off at a spanking pace.
• Spanking white: Intensely or brilliantly white.
  • The sailors wore spanking white uniforms.

Adjective

1. quick and energetic
   • a brisk walk in the park
   • a lively gait
   • a merry chase
   • traveling at a rattling rate
   • a snappy pace
   • a spanking breeze

Noun

1. the act of slapping on the buttocks
   • he gave the brat a good spanking