Meaning

(obsolete) A shiny ornament or object; a spangle.

Definitions by Sense

1. (obsolete) A shiny ornament or object; a spangle
2. To set with bright points: star or spangle.
3. To hitch; fasten.
4. (intransitive) Of a flying object (such as a bullet), To strike or ricochet with a loud report.
5. (dated) Suddenly; slap, smack.
6. (intransitive, dialect, UK, Scotland) To leap; spring.
7. (transitive, dialect, UK, Scotland) To cause to spring; set forcibly in motion; throw with violence.
8. (Scotland) A bound or spring; a leap.

Example Sentences

With glittering spangs that did like starres appeare.

Occasional bullets buzzed in the air and spanged into tree trunks.

How clear, sweet, spanging the hammer blows!

And I didn't stop until I found myself spang in the middle of the Musée de Cluny, clutching the rack.

a. 1758, Allan Ramsay, epistle to Robert Yarde But when they spang o'er reason's fence, / We smart for't at our own expense.

Set roast-beef and pudding on the opposite side o' the pit o' Tophet, and an Englishman will mak a spang at it—[…]

Word Forms

• spangs
• spanging
• spanged

Synonyms for spang

Related Words

When Should You Use Spang?

Use spang when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions