slap

1 of 4

verb

ˈslap 

slapped; slapping

transitive verb

1

a

: to strike sharply with or as if with the open hand

b

: to cause to strike with a motion or sound like that of a blow with the open hand

2

: to put, place, or throw with careless haste or force

slapped on a coat of paint

3

: to subject to a penalty

—usually used with with

slapped him with a $10 fine

4

: to assail verbally : insult

slap

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

a

: a blow with the open hand

b

: a quick sharp blow

2

: a noise like that of a slap

3

: rebuff, insult

slap

3 of 4

adverb

: directly, smack

slap

4 of 4

noun (2)

dialectal British

: opening, breach

Phrases

slap on the wrist

: a gentle usually ineffectual reprimand

Synonyms

Verb

• smack
• hit
• punch
• knock
• clap
• bang
• slam
• whack
• strike
• swipe
• pound
• clip

Noun (1)

• blow
• thump
• punch
• hit
• swipe
• smack
• thud
• knock
• whack
• stroke
• spank
• lick
• poke
• pound
• bang
• slam
• beat
• clap

Examples of slap in a Sentence

Verb

She slapped him across the face.

He slapped me on the back and said “Good job!”.

He called the dog by slapping his hand against his thigh.

Waves were slapping against the side of the boat.

Gentle waves slapped the side of the raft.

doctors used to give newborns a light slap to get them to start breathing

that comment is a slap to anyone who has ever served in the military

Adverb

I walked slap into the post.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Read more: Trump’s penalty threat puts India in a bind over Russian oil Trump has slapped steep tariffs on India. —Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2025

Some claim the male victim slapped one of the perpetrators before the fight, sparking the beatdown. —Julia Bonavita , Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Noun

Some of those bombardments have come immediately after Putin talked with Trump on the phone in what can only be categorized as a deliberate slap in the face. —Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2025

After hopping on stage for an infamous moment at the 2022 Academy Awards, Will Smith has hopped the pond to rap about the slap heard 'round the world. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 28 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

akin to Low German slapp, noun blow

Adverb

probably from Low German slapp, from slapp, noun

Noun (2)

Middle English slop, from Middle Dutch; akin to Middle Dutch slippen to slip

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (1)

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Adverb

1672, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing slap

• a slap in the face
• a slap on the back
• slap around
• slap down
• slap on
• slap on the wrist
• slap shot
• slap together
• slap-up
• slap with

Rhymes for slap

• app
• cap
• chap
• clap
• crap
• flap
• frap
• gap
• hap
• lap
• nap
• nappe

Video

A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia

Some imitative words are more surprising than others

Kids Definition

slap

1 of 3 noun

ˈslap 

1

: a quick sharp blow especially with the open hand

2

: a noise like that of a slap

slap

2 of 3 verb

slapped; slapping

1

a

: to strike with or as if with the open hand

b

: to make a sound like that of slapping

2

: to put, place, or throw with careless haste or force

slapped the book down on the desk

slap

3 of 3 adverb

: directly entry 1 sense 2, smack