slap

Language▾

German

Persian

Russian

Spanish

A slap is a sharp and sudden hit with the flat part of your hand.

When people talk about slapping something or someone, they often mean giving it a quick and forceful tap. You might see this in sports where a referee gives a player a yellow card for unsportsmanlike behavior - that's a kind of slap on the wrist, reminding them to behave properly. In everyday conversation, you might hear someone say "I got slapped with a big fine" when they got caught speeding or broke a rule. This use of "slap" implies a penalty or a warning, but it's not usually meant to be taken literally - no one actually gets hit. You might also see "slap on the back" used as a friendly way to congratulate someone, like when you win an award.

How common is "slap"?

Word slap is considered uncommon in modern English.
It appears most frequently in fiction texts and less often in other writings.

Definitions

noun

A blow, especially one given with the open hand, or with something broad and flat.
The sound of such a blow.
Makeup; cosmetics.

1 / 3

verb

To give a slap to.
Example: She slapped him in response to the insult.
To cause something to strike soundly.
Example: He slapped the reins against the horse's back.
To strike soundly against something.
Example: The rain slapped against the window-panes.
To be excellent.
Example: The band's new single slaps.
To place, to put carelessly.
Example: We'd better slap some fresh paint on that wall.
To impose a penalty, etc. on (someone).
Example: I was slapped with a parking fine.
To play slap bass on (an instrument).