Whack vs. Wack — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 7, 2024
Whack is an action or sound of hitting, whereas Wack suggests something is of poor quality or odd.
Difference Between Whack and Wack
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Whack is used to describe a strong blow or hit, often producing a sharp sound, emphasizing the action's force and suddenness. Whereas Wack is colloquial, primarily used in informal contexts to denote something that is substandard, ridiculous, or not right in some way, highlighting a judgment or opinion about quality.
Whack can also refer to an attempt or try at something, suggesting a bold or vigorous effort. On the other hand, Wack might describe a person or thing that deviates from what is considered normal or acceptable, underlining a deviation from norms or expectations.
In the context of crime or slang, "whack" can mean to murder or kill, illustrating a darker, more violent usage of the word. Whereas Wack, in music or pop culture, might label something as uncool or not in line with current trends, focusing on a critique of relevance or style.
Whack is also used in phrases like "out of whack," meaning something is not working correctly or is out of order, pointing to a state of dysfunction. In contrast, Wack does not typically appear in such idiomatic expressions but maintains its role as an evaluative term for quality.
The flexibility of "whack" allows it to appear in varied contexts, from physical actions to descriptions of condition, showcasing its adaptability. Wack, however, remains more niche, often tied to specific circles or genres, emphasizing its specialized use in conversational English.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
A strong blow; a try or attempt; out of order (in phrases).
Substandard; odd; not cool.
Usage Context
Physical action, efforts, condition of objects or situations.
Judgment of quality, especially in pop culture
Connotation
Physical force, effort, or dysfunction.
Negative evaluation of quality or normalcy.
Slang Variation
Can mean to kill or murder in crime slang.
Often used to describe something uncool or lame in youth or pop culture slang.
Idiomatic Expressions
"Out of whack" means not functioning properly.
Lacks idiomatic expressions, used more straightforwardly.
Compare with Definitions
Whack
A murder or killing, in slang.
The mob is suspected of the whack last night.
Wack
Uncool or not trendy.
Using that old slang is totally wack now.
Whack
A vigorous effort.
She took a whack at cleaning the garage.
Wack
Odd or out of the ordinary.
His fashion sense is kind of wack.
Whack
A strong hit or blow.
He gave the ball a mighty whack.
Wack
Of poor quality; lame.
That movie was so wack.
Whack
An attempt or try at something.
I'll take a whack at solving the puzzle.
Wack
Ridiculous or absurd.
His excuse for being late was wack.
Whack
Not functioning correctly, in the phrase "out of whack."
My computer is totally out of whack.
Wack
Substandard or not up to expectations.
The concert's sound quality was wack.
Whack
To deal a sharp, resounding blow.
Wack
A person regarded as eccentric.
Whack
To strike (someone or something) with a sharp blow; slap.
Wack
Very bad
Walked out of a really wack movie.
Whack
(Slang) To kill deliberately; murder.
Wack
Annoyingly or disappointingly bad, in various senses; lousy, cringy, uncool, messed up.
Every record they ever made was straight-up wack.
Whack
A sharp, swift blow.
Wack
An eccentric; an oddball; a weirdo.
Whack
The sound made by a sharp, swift blow.
Wack
A friendly term of address.
Whack
The sound of a heavy strike.
Whack
The strike itself.
Whack
The stroke itself, regardless of its successful impact.
Whack
An attempt, a chance, a turn, a go, originally an attempt to beat someone or something.
C'mon. Take a whack at it.
40 bucks a whack.
Whack
A share, a portion, especially a full share or large portion.
Whack
A whack-up: a division of an amount into separate whacks, a divvying up.
Whack
A deal, an agreement.
It's a whack!
Whack
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Del c:\docs\readme.txt
Whack
To hit, slap or strike.
The bat whacked the baseball.
Whack
(slang) To kill, bump off.
Whack
To share or parcel out (often with up).
To whack the spoils of a robbery
Whack
(sports) To beat convincingly; to thrash.
Whack
To surpass; to better.
Whack
Alternative form of wack
That's whack, yo!
Whack
To strike; to beat; to give a heavy or resounding blow to; to thrash; to make with whacks.
Rodsmen were whackingtheir way through willow brakes.
Whack
To divide into shares; as, to whack the spoils of a robbery; - often with up.
Whack
To strike anything with a smart blow.
Whack
A smart resounding blow.
Whack
A portion; share; allowance.
Whack
An attempt; as, to take a whack at it.
Whack
The sound made by a sharp swift blow
Whack
The act of hitting vigorously;
He gave the table a whack
Whack
Hit hard;
The teacher whacked the boy
Common Curiosities
Can "whack" describe an effort?
Yes, "whack" can refer to an attempt or vigorous effort at doing something.
Is "wack" a positive or negative term?
"Wack" is generally used negatively to describe something as substandard or uncool.
What does "whack" mean?
"Whack" refers to a strong hit or blow, an attempt at something, or in slang, to murder.
What does "out of whack" mean?
It means something is not functioning properly or is out of order.
Is "wack" commonly used in formal contexts?
No, "wack" is primarily used in informal contexts or slang.
Does "whack" have different meanings?
Yes, "whack" can mean a strong blow, an attempt, or being out of order, among other uses.
Can "wack" refer to something positive?
It's typically used negatively, but context can sometimes give it a playful, not seriously negative connotation.
How does "wack" relate to pop culture?
"Wack" is often used in pop culture to critique something as uncool or out of style.
How is "wack" used in slang?
In slang, "wack" describes something of poor quality, uncool, or odd.
Are "whack" and "wack" interchangeable?
No, they have distinct meanings and are used in different contexts.
Does "whack" have idiomatic expressions?
Yes, such as "out of whack," meaning something is not right or malfunctioning.
Can "whack" be used in a violent context?
Yes, in crime slang, "whack" can mean to murder or kill someone.
How do the connotations of "whack" and "wack" differ?
"Whack" connotes physical action or a state of dysfunction, while "wack" conveys a negative judgment on quality or normalcy.
What is an example of "wack" in a sentence?
"Everyone agreed the new policy was wack."
What is an example of "whack" in a sentence?
"He gave the door a whack to open it."
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
