wank

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'wank' is an offensive slang term and is considered inappropriate to use in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the act of masturbation, and its use should be avoided in most professional and formal contexts. For example, "John was so embarrassed when his mom caught him wanking in his bedroom."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That lonely twice-daily wank over Men Only.

The Economist

He waits until I go to bed, then he looks at porn and has a wank" – Joanna Neary "I was talking to my friend from New York yesterday, and I used the expression, 'You can't polish a turd'.

Independent

I am working on getting back to how I was before, but its hard.' Alex Sim-Wise, former Page 3 girl explains, 'you'd get a message from a fan and they'd be like "Oh, you're amazing, I want to wank over you".

Independent

Why not?' How many times have you seen a boy having a wank?

Independent

It was the day after the night of her anniversary and Prince Phillip woke up with a urinary infection...I'm just saying what everyone's thinking, people!" Corden - (when asked what Barack Obama was doing in his office while pretending to work): "Put on a condom and had a posh wank".

Independent

'You'd get a message from a fan and they'd be like "Oh, you're amazing, I want to wank over you".

Independent

"There are ideas like George Michael's Highway Code, which is an animation... mirror, signal, wank, crash.

Independent

"The first time is embarrassing but, after that, you wank for England," one of her co-workers tells her.

Independent

(Brent's obvious admiration for him didn't stop Finchy from accusing Brent of having spent an evening "having a Pot Noodle and a wank", a memorable television moment).

Independent

"What's wrong with dinner for four?" "Dinner for four," Sir Benjamin observes, with typical forthrightness, "is wank".

Independent

Kaiser Chiefs never hid behind false morals where ambition was concerned; singer Ricky Wilson once memorably avowed that he would "wank off a tramp for success".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the word "wank" in formal or professional settings due to its offensive nature. Opt for more neutral or clinical terms like "masturbation" or descriptive phrases like "self-stimulation" when discussing the act in a professional context.

Common error

A common mistake is using the word "wank" in contexts where formality and respect are required. Always consider your audience and the setting before using this term, as it can easily offend or create an unprofessional impression. Remember it’s better to be overly cautious than to cause unintentional offense.

Linguistic Context

The word "wank" functions primarily as a noun referring to an act of masturbation or a contemptible person. It can also function as a verb, meaning to masturbate. Ludwig AI highlights examples from News & Media showing its usage in various contexts, often informal or quoted speech.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "wank" is a versatile but highly informal word with meanings ranging from masturbation to nonsense. While grammatically correct, its usage is strongly discouraged in formal settings due to its vulgarity. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that it frequently appears in News & Media, often in quoted speech or when discussing language. When a more formal term is required in similar contexts, consider alternatives like "masturbation", "rubbish", or descriptive phrases such as "contemptible person". Be mindful of your audience and the setting to avoid causing offense. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is categorized as incorrect due to its inappropriate nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jerking off

A less formal but still common term for masturbation.

tossing off

Similar in meaning to "jerking off" but slightly more colloquial.

masturbation

A formal and clinical term for the act of self-stimulation, avoiding the vulgarity of "wank".

self-gratification

A more polite and euphemistic way to describe masturbation.

rubbish

Another British English term for nonsense, similar to one usage of "wank".

foolishness

When "wank" is used to describe something as nonsense, this is a more polite substitute.

contemptible person

When "wank" is used to describe an undesirable person, this is a more formal substitute.

balderdash

A more antiquated and humorous term for nonsense.

despicable individual

A stronger and more formal way to describe a contemptible person.

act of self-love

A more euphemistic and positive way to describe masturbation, avoiding negative connotations.

FAQs

What does "wank" mean?

The word "wank" is a slang term primarily used in British English. It can refer to the act of masturbation, a contemptible person, or something considered to be nonsense or rubbish.

What can I say instead of "wank" to refer to masturbation?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "masturbation", "self-gratification", "jerking off", or "tossing off". Choose the term that best fits the level of formality required.

When is it appropriate to use the word "wank"?

The word "wank" is generally inappropriate for formal settings. It might be acceptable in informal conversations among close friends who understand and accept its use, but caution is advised to avoid causing offense.

How can I use "wank" to describe something nonsensical?

When used to describe something as nonsensical, you can replace "wank" with terms like "rubbish", "nonsense", or "balderdash". For example, instead of saying "That idea is a wank", you could say "That idea is rubbish".