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

see also:

slap on the wrist

slap

3 of 4

adverb

: directly, smack

slap

4 of 4

noun (2)

dialectal British

: opening, breach

Synonyms of slap

Verb

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

Noun (1)

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

The attacker slapped the woman on the buttocks on Bedford and Willoughby Aves. — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026

Hoffman wrote that director Mike Nichols had costar Katharine Ross slap him 27 times for a scene. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Nov. 2026

Noun

Communicating entirely through percussive movements and sounds and enough slaps to make the Three Stooges envious, the wild-haired creatures mainly seem to be auditioning for their own big-screen spin-off to compete with the Minions. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026

During initial ride tests, mechanical chain slap and drivetrain vibrations echoed loudly through the structure, creating a persistent clattering that detracts from any quiet ride through nature. — New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2026

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

Associate Editor Serenity Carr looks at onomatopoeic words you might not expect, such as bounce and tinker.

Transcript:

When you think of the origins of a word, you think of Old English, or Old French, or Latin, or Sanskrit. But not all words come from a similar word in an older language. Some words come from imitations of the sounds associated with the thing they name. Some are obvious, like fizz, jingle, toot, and pop. Others are less obvious, like slap, bounce, tinker, and cough. So listen carefully to every grunt and murmur, to the prattle and babbling around you. You may be hearing more than just chit-chat.

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