# skank

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈskæŋk/ · frequency rank #42,901

## Definitions
1. A lewd and disreputable person, often female, especially an unattractive person with an air of tawdry promiscuity.
2. Anything that is particularly foul, unhygienic or unpleasant.

## Etymology
Unknown. Perhaps from skag (“unattractive woman”), but the origins of skag are unknown. Compare scold (“troublesome woman”), skeevy (“disgusting”). Attested from the 1960s.

## Easily confused with
- **skin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-skin)
- **span** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-span)
- **stan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-stan)
- **swan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-swan)
- **sunk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-sunk)
- **soak** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-soak)
- **stand** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-stand)
- **stack** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-stack)
- **stark** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-stark)
- **spark** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-spark)
- **snack** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-snack)
- **skins** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-skins)
- **skate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-skate)
- **slack** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-slack)
- **smack** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-smack)
- **slang** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-slang)
- **stalk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-stalk)
- **stink** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-stink)
- **slant** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-slant)
- **skunk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skank-vs-skunk)

## Common misspellings (8)
`ksank`, `saknk`, `skakn`, `skankk`, `skannk`, `skkank`, `sknak`, `sskank`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/skank