smack

noun (1)

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\ ˈsmak

Definition of smack

(Entry 1 of 7)

1 : characteristic taste or flavor also : a perceptible taste or tincture

2 : a small quantity

smack

verb (1)

smacked; smacking; smacks

Definition of smack (Entry 2 of 7)

intransitive verb

1 : to have a taste or flavor

2 : to have a trace, vestige, or suggestion a proposal that smacks of treason

smack

noun (2)

Definition of smack (Entry 3 of 7)

: a sailing ship (such as a sloop or cutter) used chiefly in coasting and fishing

smack

verb (2)

smacked; smacking; smacks

Definition of smack (Entry 4 of 7)

transitive verb

1 : to close and open (lips) noisily and often in rapid succession especially in eating

2a : to kiss with or as if with a smack

b : to strike so as to produce a smack

intransitive verb

: to make or give a smack

smack

noun (3)

Definition of smack (Entry 5 of 7)

1 : a quick sharp noise made by rapidly compressing and opening the lips

2 : a loud kiss

3 : a sharp slap or blow

4 US, informal : boastful or insulting language especially between opponents : smack talk, trash talk —usually used in the phrase talk smack The college basketball season is barely a month old, yet the top two candidates for national player of the year are already talking smack.— Grant Wahl

smack

adverb

Definition of smack (Entry 6 of 7)

: squarely and sharply : directly smack in the middle

smack

noun (4)

Definition of smack (Entry 7 of 7)

slang

: heroin

Examples of smack in a Sentence

Adverb She dropped the book smack in the middle of the table. The ball hit me smack in the face.

First Known Use of smack

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1533, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1557, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (3)

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1782, in the meaning defined above

Noun (4)

circa 1960, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for smack

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English smæc; akin to Old High German smac taste and probably to Lithuanian smaguris sweet tooth

Noun (2)

Dutch smak or Low German smack

Verb (2)

akin to Middle Dutch smacken to strike

Noun (4)

perhaps from Yiddish shmek sniff, whiff, pinch (of snuff)

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Cite this Entry

“Smack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smack. Accessed 22 Jun. 2021.

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More Definitions for smack

smack

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of smack

informal : exactly or directly

See the full definition for smack in the English Language Learners Dictionary

smack

verb

\ ˈsmak

smacked; smacking

Kids Definition of smack

(Entry 1 of 5)

1 : to make or give a noisy slap

2 : to close and open the lips noisily especially in eating

3 : to kiss usually loudly or hard

smack

noun

Kids Definition of smack (Entry 2 of 5)

1 : a noisy slap or blow

2 : a quick sharp noise made by the lips (as in enjoyment of some taste)

3 : a loud kiss

smack

adverb

Kids Definition of smack (Entry 3 of 5)

: in a square and sharp manner : directly One side of the house … was smack up against the mountain …— Virginia Hamilton, M. C. Higgins

smack

verb

smacked; smacking

Kids Definition of smack (Entry 4 of 5)

: to seem to contain or involve The remark smacks of spite.

smack

noun

Kids Definition of smack (Entry 5 of 5)

: a slight taste, trace, or touch of something I had always my eye open for seafaring men … and … he had a smack of the sea about him …— Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island