Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for backslapping. Search instead for backslappings.

backslapping

American  
[bak-slap-ing] / ˈbækˌslæp ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the practice of making a loud and effusive display of friendliness, cordiality, etc., as by slapping persons on the back.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of backslapping

First recorded in 1770–80; back 1 + slapping

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.

Trump is scheduled to land in Beijing on Wednesday night and leave Friday local time—giving the leaders two days of backslapping and handshaking.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

Brian Andersen testified during the first trial that he attended tennis tournaments weeks before the killings and remembered “excitement, jubilation, backslapping, compliments” from Jose and Mary Louise Menendez when Erik Menendez was winning.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2023

They describe him as a “loner” who “was not a backslapping politician.”

From Slate • Mar. 18, 2023

Reunions - some backslapping and cheery, others tearful - are everywhere as people run into old friends they haven't seen for months.

From BBC • Nov. 13, 2022

At Zach’s table, a celebration was going on, with lots of backslapping and high fives.

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "backslapping" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com