spanking

1 of 3

adjective

spank·​ing ˈspaŋ-kiŋ How to pronounce spanking (audio)
Synonyms of spankingnext
1
: remarkable of its kind
2
: being fresh and strong : brisk

spanking

2 of 3

adverb

: very
a spanking clean floor
spanking new

spanking

3 of 3

present participle of spank entry 1, spank entry 3

Synonyms of spanking

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Adjective

Adverb

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Examples of spanking in a Sentence

Adjective a spanking and speedy little horse Adverb He keeps his apartment spanking clean. the bathroom tiles were spanking white when she finished cleaning them
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Roughly 40 miles northwest of Charlotte, in a spanking-clean body shop off a two-lane country road sits one of Hollywood’s most famous cars, stripped to its essence. — Joe Marusak august 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 Aug. 2026 Alexander Skarsgård has a spanking new romantic comedy. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Adverb
There was Vice President Biden's inaugural bromance selfie with President Obama on his brand spanking new Instagram account. — Christina Capatides, CBS News, 11 May 2018 Is this just about opportunistic politicians dipping into state coffers so they can be photographed cutting the ribbon at a spanking new factory? — New York Times, 8 May 2018 See All Example Sentences for spanking

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

origin unknown

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1666, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1787, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spanking was circa 1666

Phrases Containing spanking

Rhymes for spanking

See All Rhymes for spanking

Browse Nearby Words

spanker boom
spanking
spankingly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spanking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spanking. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spanking

1 of 2 adjective
spank·​ing ˈspaŋ-kiŋ How to pronounce spanking (audio)
: brisk sense 1, lively
a spanking breeze

spanking

2 of 2 adverb
: very entry 2 sense 2
a spanking clean floor
spanking new
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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