# yank

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈjæŋk/ · frequency rank #29,150

## Definitions
1. A sudden, vigorous pull (sometimes defined as mass times jerk, or rate of change of force).
2. A masturbation session.
3. alternative form of shank (“stabbing weapon”).

## Etymology
Attested since 1822; from Scots yank. Unknown origin.

## Easily confused with
- **yay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-yay)
- **yen** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-yen)
- **yin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-yin)
- **Yun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-yun)
- **Yao** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-yao)
- **yap** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-yap)
- **yaw** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-yaw)
- **yon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-yon)
- **yar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-yar)
- **yas** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-yas)
- **yuk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-yuk)
- **yat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-yat)
- **Yau** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-yau)
- **york** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-york)
- **yard** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-yard)
- **yuan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-yuan)
- **yarn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-yarn)
- **yong** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-yong)
- **ying** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-ying)
- **yawn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yank-vs-yawn)

## Common misspellings (6)
`aynk`, `yakn`, `yankk`, `yannk`, `ynak`, `yyank`

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