whang

IPA/wæŋ/
KK[wˈæŋ]IPA/wæŋ/

whang — verb

  • whangpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • whangs3rd person singular
  • whanging-ing form
  • whangedpast simple

1. to strike, throw, or drive something with great force, often so it lands with a

1.verbtransitiveC2
Definition

to strike, throw, or drive something with great force, often so it lands with a loud impact

Example

Mei whanged the tennis ball over the school fence.

whang + object + over + place

The carpenter whanged the nail into the board with one blow.

whang + object + into + surface

Common collocations
  • whang a ball
  • whang a nail
  • whang shut
  • whang against something
Synonyms
  • whack

    a closer everyday verb for a hard blow; less strongly tied to a noisy impact

  • slam

    best when something is driven shut or down; less useful for throwing

  • hurl

    focuses on throwing violently through the air, not on the crash at the end

Grammar Patterns

whang + object

whang + object + against + noun

whang + object + into / over + place

Usage Note

Usually takes a physical object and stresses rough, noisy force. It often appears with against, into, over, or shut when the result of the impact matters.

2. to rush along at high speed in a way that sounds loud and forceful

2.verbintransitiveC2
Definition

to rush along at high speed in a way that sounds loud and forceful

Example

The bus whanged past the farm before anyone could wave.

whang + past + noun

A motorbike whanged down the lane and woke the dogs.

whang + down + place

Common collocations
  • whang past
  • whang down the road
  • whang across the harbour
Synonyms
  • tear

    can mean move very fast, but does not suggest the same banging or rattling sound

  • barrel

    often suggests uncontrolled speed, especially with vehicles

  • race

    a neutral word for moving quickly; it lacks the noisy force of whang

Grammar Patterns

whang + past + noun

whang + down / up / across + place

Usage Note

The subject is usually a vehicle or other moving thing. This sense highlights speed plus noise or vibration, not simply motion from one place to another.

whang — noun

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Whang' is a vivid informal verb for using heavy force, especially when the action feels sudden and noisy. 'Whack' is the nearest everyday verb for a hard hit, but it does not always suggest the same crashing result. 'Slam' works best when something is driven shut or down, such as a door or a lid. 'Hurl' focuses on violent throwing through the air, whether or not there is a loud impact at the end. 'Smack' often suggests a flatter, sharper contact against a surface. Use 'whang' when you want the action to sound rough, forceful, and almost echoing.

whang ↗whack ↗slam ↗hurl ↗smack ↗

Etymology

English

Origin uncertain. English records connect whang with sharp impact, ringing noise, and rough force, and several senses seem to have grown from that same idea of something that strikes, snaps, or sounds out loudly.

First known use

1540

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Verb (1)