Dictionary

gank en · VERB · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• [ˈɡɛ̃ŋk] (Canada, US)
• (Southern-England) audio
• /ˈɡeɪ̯ŋk/ (Canada, US)
• [ˈɡeɪ̯ŋk] ~ /ˈɡɛ̃ŋk/ (Canada, US)
• [ˈɡæŋk] without æ-raising
• /ˈɡæŋk/ without æ-raising

Etymology

1980s, of uncertain origin; possibly imitative or a derivation from gangster.

Meanings

1. (slang, transitive) To swindle.
   • Just as Eazy had robbed Lonzo at Crew Cut Records, Suge and Dre had now ganked Eazy. This time, however, there was a slight problem. 2004, Mike Sager, Scary Monsters and Super Freaks: Stories of Sex, Drugs, Rock 'n' Roll and Murder, page 135:
   • Then I met this girl she tried to gank me / So I smacked her in the booty with M.C. Plank Bee 1989, “Car Thief”, in Paul's Boutique, performed by Beastie Boys:
   • Jay was ganked (mugged) for $55 by some Noongar boys when Brad told them he had a lot of money on him. 2001, Delphine Jamet, Street Kid in the City:
   • And in the old days, you know, if you ganked a drug dealer, they would beat you senseless. 2004, U.S. Congress Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Combating Gang Violence in America, page 28:
2. (slang, transitive) To steal.
   • It was one of the syringes Splinter ganked from the hospital the other day when he was in there for chest pains. 2006, N. Frank Daniels, Futureproof, page 206:
   • “I ganked these from the Major's house last night,” I explained, reaching into the backpack to withdraw the two books. 2002, A. K. Stanfield, Zen Smoking: A Mock Epic with Stock Characters, page 261:

Forms

gank en · VERB · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• [ˈɡɛ̃ŋk] (Canada, US)
• (Southern-England) audio
• /ˈɡeɪ̯ŋk/ (Canada, US)
• [ˈɡeɪ̯ŋk] ~ /ˈɡɛ̃ŋk/ (Canada, US)
• [ˈɡæŋk] without æ-raising
• /ˈɡæŋk/ without æ-raising

Etymology

Blend of gan(g) + k(ill).

Meanings

1. (Internet, slang, transitive) To kill much weaker players in an online video game in such a way that they cannot defend themselves.
   • Our group totally ganked this guy.

Forms

Deriveds

ganker