What does wallop mean?
Wallop is an informal verb and noun whose modern core meanings are to strike something forcefully and to move at full speed. As a verb, it can describe a person landing a heavy blow or a horse or vehicle racing hard. As a noun, a wallop is a powerful hit, while “a wallop” can also mean a fast ride or spell of rapid movement. These senses give the word its characteristic force: it suggests not merely movement but speed and impact, and it often carries a comic, exaggerated, or old-fashioned flavor. “Give it a wallop” and “take a wallop” are especially familiar expressions. The verb is common in informal British and American English; its galloping sense is particularly associated with British usage and regional speech. Wallop is also useful as a vivid alternative to hit, strike, or gallop when the intended emphasis is a dramatic blow or speed. Despite its relatively narrow modern range, it is memorable because a single word can evoke both the force of a collision and the rush of a fast-moving horse.
To strike or beat someone or something with force; to move, run, or ride at full speed.
"The boxer walloped his opponent with a powerful right hand."
The striking sense is informal and emphatic; the rapid-movement sense is especially associated with British and regional usage.
A forceful or powerful blow; a fast ride or period of rapid movement.
"The boxer took a heavy wallop in the final round."
The phrase “give someone a wallop” is a familiar informal expression, and the word often has a comic or exaggerated tone.
The regular plural is used for separate forceful blows; the sense of a fast ride is normally treated as uncountable in phrases such as “a great wallop.”
"The boxer took several wallops during the fight."
Wallop delivers double force: it can describe both the impact of a powerful blow and the rush of a galloping horse.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wallop come from?
The precise origin of wallop is uncertain, and its language of origin cannot be securely identified. Early English uses relate to rapid movement and to striking or beating forcefully, from which its modern senses developed. Related forms such as walloped and walloping became established alongside the base word.
Related word forms
How wallop is actually used
The word is informal and often emphatic or mildly comic. Its sense meaning to gallop or travel fast is particularly associated with British and regional usage, while the striking sense is common in informal British and American English.
Easily confused with wallop
Wallop means to strike forcefully or move very fast, whereas wallow means to roll about excessively in mud, water, or a similar substance.