skank
skank Lexical Profile
skank Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American A sleazy, disreputable, or promiscuous person (used as a derogatory slang term).
"The tabloid column was criticized for using crude, insulting labels like skank to describe the reality television cast."
A rhythmic dance style performed to ska, reggae, or punk rock music, characterized by bending forward at the waist, kicking out the knees, and swinging the arms in an alternating running-man motion.
"As the brass section kicked in, the crowd at the concert broke into an energetic skank."
• verb
To dance in a loose, rhythmic style with high knees and swinging arms to ska, reggae, or punk music.
"Fans were skanking across the dance floor throughout the band's entire set."
To play sharp, percussive offbeat chords on a guitar in ska or reggae music.
"The rhythm guitarist skanked steadily on the upbeat while the bassline carried the melody."
British To cheat, deceive, or swindle someone out of money or possessions (slang).
"He realized too late that the dishonest street vendor had skanked him out of twenty pounds."
Word Nuance & Usage
While entirely neutral in musical contexts referring to ska or reggae dancing and guitar playing, the personal noun sense is a strongly derogatory slang term used as an insult.