verb
yank
YANGK
verb
1
To pull something suddenly and forcefully.
"She yanked the stuck drawer open with both hands."
"He yanked the cord out of the wall in frustration."
noun
1
Informal (often outside the US), a term for an American, especially one from the northern states.
"The tour group had a couple of Yanks among the mostly British crowd."
How to Use Yank
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo give something a sharp, sudden pull, or (informally) a nickname for an American.
When to use it
"Yank" for an American is informal and can sound teasing or mildly derogatory depending on tone.
Common pairings
yank the cord
yank someone's arm
yank open
Word Forms
yanked past tense, Yanks plural, yanks singular
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She _____ the stuck drawer open with both hands.