whack

¹

[hwak, wak]

verb (used with object)

1. to strike with a smart, resounding blow or blows.

2. Slang.,  to divide into or take in shares (often followed byup ).

   Whack the loot between us two.

verb (used without object)

1. to strike a smart, resounding blow or blows.

noun

1. a smart, resounding blow.

   a whack with his hand.

2. Informal.,  a trial or attempt.

   to take a whack at a job.

   Synonyms: turn, go, try

3. Slang.,  a portion or share.

verb phrase

1. whack out,  to produce quickly or, sometimes, carelessly.

   She whacks out a short story every week or so.

2. whack off

   1. to cut off or separate with a blow.

      The cook whacked off the fish's head.

   2. Slang: Vulgar.,  to masturbate.

whack

²

[hwak, wak]

noun

1. a variant of wack.

whack

/ wæk /

verb

1. to strike with a sharp resounding blow

2. informal,  (usually passive) to exhaust completely

3. informal,  (tr; usu foll by in or on) to put something on to or into something else with force or abandon

   whack on some sunscreen

noun

1. slang,  (tr) to murder

   if you were out of line you got whacked

2. a sharp resounding blow or the noise made by such a blow

3. informal,  a share or portion

4. informal,  a try or attempt (esp in the phrase have a whack at )

5. informal,  out of order; unbalanced

   the whole system is out of whack

interjection

1. an exclamation imitating the noise of a sharp resounding blow

Other Word Forms

• whacker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of whack¹

First recorded in 1710–20; originally dialect, Scots form of thwack; whang ², whittle

Word History and Origins

Origin of whack¹

C18: perhaps a variant of _thwack , ultimately of imitative origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. out of whack, out of order or alignment; not in proper condition.

More idioms and phrases containing whack

• have a crack (whack) at
• out of kilter (whack)

Example Sentences

The prosecution alleged that Mr Linehan "deliberately whacked" Ms Brooks's phone out of her hand after she challenged him while filming.

From BBC

Trash was no longer collected, nor were weeds whacked, which increased fire risk.

From Los Angeles Times

"I did what my mother taught me to. I took off my shoe and whacked him in the nuts with the heel," Camilla is said to have told Johnson.

From BBC

One bugbear for her is when parents bring a phone or other device for their children "and they have it on full whack", she says.

From BBC

On top of that, you can add ticket sales, merchandise, additional sponsorship and a whack of corporate cash.

From BBC

Related Words

• wallop