slap
1 Americannoun
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a 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.
verb (used with object)
-
to strike sharply, especially with the open hand or with something flat.
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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.
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to put or place promptly and sometimes haphazardly (often followed byon ).
The officer slapped a ticket on the car. He slapped mustard on the sandwich.
adverb
verb phrase
idioms
noun
-
a gap or opening, as in a fence, wall, cloud bank, or line of troops.
-
a mountain pass.
-
a wound or gash.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
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
-
informal sexual play
-
an insult or rebuff
-
congratulation
-
a light punishment or reprimand
verb
-
(tr) to strike (a person or thing) sharply, as with the open hand or something flat
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(tr) to bring down (the hand, something flat, etc) sharply
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to strike (something) with or as if with a slap
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informal (tr) to apply in large quantities, haphazardly, etc
she slapped butter on the bread
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to congratulate
adverb
-
exactly; directly
slap on time
-
forcibly or abruptly
to fall slap on the floor
Synonym Usage
See blow 1.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of slap1
First recorded in 1625–35; from Low German slapp(e); of expressive origin
Origin of slap2
First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English slop(e) “inroad made into enemy ranks,” from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German; cognate with German Schlupf “hiding place”
Explanation
To slap someone is to hit them with the palm of your open hand. It's not nice to slap your sister, no matter how mad you are. A smack or open-handed blow is a slap, and you can also describe the sound it makes—or a similar sound—as a slap. You could describe the slap of water against the side of your rowboat, or say that your mom slaps her magazine against the table when she's done reading. Slap is also an informal adverb, meaning "immediately" or "directly:" "Sneaking out of class, he ran slap into the principal."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The sneaker industry is suffering from excess inventory of casual lifestyle sneakers, which has prompted many shoe sellers such as Foot Locker and Nike to slap on discounts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
“Or did ya just slap some AI slop on this piece that we were so helpful with?”
From Slate ● Oct. 11, 2026
Climaxing in a tense court case that hinges on what constitutes a slap, “Fjord” explores clashing cultures and mutual distrust, leaving us unsure how to feel.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
Riffing on the human need for emotional engagement through the arts with such venom is not just a slap in the face; it’s evidence of Iñárritu’s gnawing insecurities.
From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2026
I burst through the sliding door and slam it shut with a glass-rattling slap.
From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day
Warner Bros. demanded Russell pare down the film’s most intense scenes yet still slapped it with an X rating in the U.S. and U.K., while other countries banned it outright.
From Salon ● Oct. 22, 2026
It also raises questions about how well these ads are being slapped together.
From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026
De Paula tossed his bat aside, looked into the Dodgers dugout and slapped his chest across the letters.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026
An egg was even slapped across Benn's face by Eubank.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
Still, hadn’t those admirals back at Sayda Bay told him not to let his cheek be slapped?
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
Another pressure putt from the pumped-up Ciganda on the 14th gave them a two-hole lead, the Spaniard slapping her chest to whip up the boisterous Dutch crowd.
From Barron's ● Sep. 12, 2026
The crowd had made its allegiances clear after a fiery build-up which included Itauma shoving Hrgovic, the Zagreb man slapping him back and plenty of verbal sparring.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
Humans mostly shop at Acme, too, with Green slapping its logo on normal cellphones, computers and, yikes, government missiles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
Governments across the continent are starting to impose limits on tourism: cracking down on Airbnbs, slapping taxes on tourists and limiting cruise-ship numbers and new hotel construction.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
“Get me the regular, old friend,” Whitby said, slapping his hand on the bar.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
