What does wanking mean?
Wanking is a blunt, vulgar English word that denotes masturbation. In British English it is used chiefly as a verb, meaning to sexually stimulate one's own genitals, usually with the intention of reaching orgasm; as a noun, it refers to the act itself. The form is especially common in the present-participle construction, as in “caught wanking,” although it can also name a recurring activity. Australian and New Zealand speakers use it too, while North American English generally uses it less often and often favors “jerk off” or the more clinical “masturbate.” Its register is the crucial feature: the word is a strong taboo and may be insulting when used to describe someone else, even when it is not meant literally. It is also a useful example of how British slang can remain vividly expressive while being unsuitable for formal or public contexts. Its deeper etymology is uncertain, so it should be understood primarily through its established modern meaning rather than through speculative connections to unrelated words.
To masturbate, especially by stimulating one's penis.
"He was embarrassed when a colleague found him wanking in the office bathroom."
Strongly vulgar and generally unsuitable for formal or polite contexts.
The act or activity of masturbating.
"The scene depicts wanking without any attempt at euphemism."
Usually used as a gerund or mass noun; the plural is uncommon.
The regular plural is grammatically possible but rarely used because the noun normally appears in a gerund or mass-noun construction.
"The novel describes two lonely wankings in a diary-like voice."
The spelling may look formal; the meaning is anything but.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wanking come from?
The term is an English colloquial formation, chiefly associated with British English, rather than a modern borrowing from Latin or another language. Its precise early history and deeper root are uncertain, and dictionaries generally do not assign it a well-established cognate family.
Related word forms
How wanking is actually used
This is a strong-taboo, vulgar word in British English and can be insulting when used about another person. It is unsuitable for formal, polite, or sensitive contexts unless discussing the language itself. The noun is normally used as a gerund or mass noun, and its regular plural is uncommon.
Easily confused with wanking
Walking means moving on foot, whereas wanking means masturbating.