sack
sack Lexical Profile
sack Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large bag made of a strong material such as burlap, thick paper, or plastic, used for storing and carrying heavy goods.
"The farmer loaded a heavy sack of potatoes onto the back of the truck."
The dismissal of someone from employment (informal, often preceded by 'the').
"After arriving late for the third time this week, he was given the sack."
The plundering and widespread destruction of a captured town or city.
"The sack of Rome in 410 AD was a major event in the decline of the Western Roman Empire."
• verb
To dismiss someone from employment (informal).
"The board decided to sack the chief executive after a series of financial blunders."
North American To tackle a quarterback behind the line of scrimmage before a forward pass can be thrown (in American and Canadian football).
"The defensive end managed to sack the quarterback three times during the championship game."
To plunder, loot, and heavily damage a captured town or city.
"The invading army systematically sacked the ancient city, leaving very few buildings standing."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used to mean 'dismiss from employment', 'sack' is highly informal (especially in British English) compared to the more formal 'terminate' or 'dismiss'.
• Rhymes for sack
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'sak', from Old English 'sacc', borrowed from Latin 'saccus' and Greek 'sakkos' (bag of rough cloth), ultimately tracing back to Semitic origins such as Hebrew 'saq'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.