slap
1a sharp blow or smack, especially with the open hand or with something flat.
a sound made by or as if by such a blow or smack: the slap of the waves against the dock.
a sharply worded or sarcastic rebuke or comment.
to strike sharply, especially with the open hand or with something flat.
to bring (the hand, something flat, etc.) with a sharp blow against something.
to dash or cast forcibly: He slapped the package against the wall.
to put or place promptly and sometimes haphazardly (often followed by on): The officer slapped a ticket on the car. He slapped mustard on the sandwich.
slap down,
to subdue, especially by a blow or by force; suppress.
to reject, oppose, or criticize sharply: to slap down dissenting voices.
Idioms about slap
slap on the wrist, relatively mild criticism or censure: He got away with a slap on the wrist.
Origin of slap
1synonym study For slap
Other words from slap
- slapper, noun
Words Nearby slap
Other definitions for slap (2 of 2)
a gap or opening, as in a fence, wall, cloud bank, or line of troops.
a mountain pass.
a wound or gash.
to make a gap or opening in; breach.
Origin of slap
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use slap in a sentence
After reading the news on her phone, Allen was afraid to speak, smarting from what felt as visceral as a slap to the face.
The change can be as simple as slapping a second mask over the one you already wear, or better yet, donning a fabric mask on top of a surgical mask.
Time to double or upgrade masks as coronavirus variants emerge, experts say | Fenit Nirappil | January 27, 2021 | Washington PostThe ProGrip for MagSafe attaches to your phone magnetically, so when you want to slap it on a MagSafe charger, you simply pop off the PopSocket completely.
Rolling phones, smart glasses, and other cool new tech from CES 2021 | Stan Horaczek | January 12, 2021 | Popular-ScienceOf course, those models have much more complex audio components inside and can cost thousands of dollars, so it’s probably best not to slap them on for a run around the neighborhood.
Bose built a new kind of workout earbud to keep you safe while you sweat | Stan Horazek | January 5, 2021 | Popular-ScienceNow that users have been formally invited to slap Microsoft Flight Simulator onto their faces, I must strongly urge users not to do so—or at least heavily temper their expectations.
Microsoft Flight Simulator in VR: A turbulent start for wide-open skies | Sam Machkovech | December 23, 2020 | Ars Technica
Up and down the plane I heard the slap of blinders yanked down over the windows while the rest of us eagerly took in the view.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind | Brin-Jonathan Butler | December 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“Now get on your knees and crawl,” he demanded with the slap of a leather horse crop against the palm of his hand.
While that might just seem like a slap on the wrist compared to the cost of insurance, the penalty increases every year.
Think You’re Invincible? Here’s Why Open Enrollment Matters | DailyBurn | November 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTQueen Raina of Jordan also spoke, calling the refugee crisis in Syria “a slap in the face of humanity.”
Sometimes a great movie line has the impact of a slap in the face.
What Was Bogey Thinking When He Said ‘Here’s Looking At You, Kid’? | Lewis Beale | September 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST"slap your saddles on them fresh hosses," he grated harshly from the back of a deep-chested, lean-flanked gray.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. Sinclairslap through the town, whispered Sikes; therell be nobody in the way to-night to see us.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3) | Charles DickensBlack Hood let the clutch slap in and the roadster bounded back onto the tarvia drive.
This was too direct a slap at Elmer Spiker to pass unnoticed; Elmer was too old an arguer to use any ponderous weapon in return.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson LloydThe man probably never knew exactly when the floor came up to slap the back of his lap.
British Dictionary definitions for slap
/ (slæp) /
a sharp blow or smack, as with the open hand, something flat, etc
the sound made by or as if by such a blow
a sharp rebuke; reprimand
a bit of slap and tickle or slap and tickle British informal sexual play
a slap in the face an insult or rebuff
a slap on the back congratulation
a slap on the wrist a light punishment or reprimand
(tr) to strike (a person or thing) sharply, as with the open hand or something flat
(tr) to bring down (the hand, something flat, etc) sharply
(when intr, usually foll by against) to strike (something) with or as if with a slap
(tr) informal, mainly British to apply in large quantities, haphazardly, etc: she slapped butter on the bread
slap on the back to congratulate
exactly; directly: slap on time
forcibly or abruptly: to fall slap on the floor
Origin of slap
1Derived forms of slap
- slapper, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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