slaps; slapped; slapping
1
a
: to hit (someone or something) with the front or back of your open hand
She slapped him across/in the face.
She slapped his face.
He slapped me on the back and said "Good job!"
He called the dog by slapping his hand against his thigh.
b
: to hit something with a sound like the sound made when your hand slaps something
Waves were slapping against the side of the boat.
Gentle waves slapped the side of the raft.
2
: to put (something) on a surface quickly or forcefully
—+ down or on
He slapped the book down on the desk.
She slapped down her cards and shouted "I win!"
He slapped a fresh coat of paint on (the wall).
I grabbed a slice of bread and slapped on some peanut butter.
3
sports
: to hit (something) with a forceful swing of your arms, hands, etc.
(ice hockey) He slapped the puck into the net.
(baseball) She slapped a single to right field.
plural slaps
1
: a hit with the front or back of your open hand
I was so angry that I felt like giving him a slap.
2
: a loud sound made when something hits a flat surface
I could hear the slap of the waves against the side of the boat.
informal
: exactly or directly
I walked slap into the post.
Her apartment is slap in the middle of the city. = Her apartment is slap bang in the middle of the city.
Cite this Entry
“Slap.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/slap. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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