Standard Lemma guide

fank

noun · verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈfæŋk/ without æ-raising
  • [ˈfæŋk] without æ-raising
  • Scotland: /ˈfaŋk/
  • Scotland: [ˈfa̠ŋk]
  • Canada, US: /ˈfeɪ̯ŋk/
  • Canada, US: [ˈfeɪ̯ŋk]
  • Canada, US: /ˈfɛ̃ŋk/
  • Canada, US: [ˈfɛ̃ŋk]
  • rhymes with -æŋk
  • homophone: thank (th-fronting)

1

noun

Meaning 1

A pen for enclosing sheep, mainly in the Scottish Highlands.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To place (sheep) in a pen.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Scottish Gaelic fang, from Scots fank, perhaps ultimately related to archaic fang (“to seize, catch”).

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: Schafhürde — pen for enclosing sheep
  • Scottish Gaelic: faing — pen for enclosing sheep
  • Scottish Gaelic: fang — pen for enclosing sheep