First Known Use: 1719
Dictionary
1whack
verb \ˈhwak, ˈwak\
: to hit (someone or something) with great force
: to reduce (something) by a large amount
: to murder or kill (someone)
Full Definition of WHACK
transitive verb
1
a : to strike with a smart or resounding blow <whack the ball> b : to cut with or as if with a whack : chop
2
chiefly British : to get the better of : defeat
intransitive verb
: to strike a smart or resounding blow
— whack·er noun
See whack defined for English-language learners
See whack defined for kids
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Origin of WHACK
probably imitative of the sound of a blow
Related to WHACK
2whack
noun
: the act of hitting someone or something with great force
: the sound made when something is hit hard
: a share or portion of something
Full Definition of WHACK
1
a : a smart or resounding blow; also : the sound of or as if of such a blow b : a critical attack
4
a : an opportunity or attempt to do something <take a whack at it> b : a single action or occasion <borrowed $50 all at one whack>
— out of whack
1
: out of proper order or shape <threw his knee out of whack>
2
: not in accord <feeling out of whack with her contemporaries — S. E. Rubin>
See whack defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WHACK
1736
WHACK Defined for Kids
1whack
verb \ˈhwak, ˈwak\
whackedwhack·ing
Definition of WHACK for Kids
: to hit with a hard noisy blow <The batter whacked the ball.>
2whack
noun
Definition of WHACK for Kids
1
: a hard noisy blow <I gave the ball a whack.>
2
: the sound of a hard noisy blow
— out of whack
: not in good working order or shape
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