noun

skank

SKANGK

noun

A dance style performed to ska, reggae, or dub music, with a distinctive rhythmic bounce.

"The crowd started to skank as soon as the horns kicked in."

A crude slang term for a disreputable or promiscuous person, usually used as an insult.

How to Use Skank

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMainly used for the reggae/ska dance style; also exists as a vulgar insult, which is offensive and best avoided.

When to use it

The insult sense is vulgar and demeaning; avoid it in polite or formal contexts.

Word Forms

more skank comparative, skanked past tense, skanked past tense, skanks plural, skanks plural, skanks plural, skanks singular, skanks singular, most skank superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “skank” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The crowd started to _____ as soon as the horns kicked in.

Etymology

Origin uncertain; possibly related to the older slang word "skag," itself of unknown origin.

Rhymes for skank

bank dank tank rank yank Hank drank stank plank thank frank prank

See all rhymes for skank →