slap

¹ American  

[slap] / slæp /

noun

1. a sharp blow or smack, especially with the open hand or with something flat.

2. a sound made by or as if by such a blow or smack.

   the slap of the waves against the dock.

3. a sharply worded or sarcastic rebuke or comment.

---

verb (used with object)

slapped, slapping

1. to strike sharply, especially with the open hand or with something flat.

2. to bring (the hand, something flat, etc.) with a sharp blow against something.

3. to dash or cast forcibly.

   He slapped the package against the wall.

4. 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

1. Informal. directly; straight; smack.

   The tug rammed slap into the side of the freighter.

verb phrase

1. slap down

   1. to subdue, especially by a blow or by force; suppress.

   2. to reject, oppose, or criticize sharply.

      to slap down dissenting voices.

idioms

1. slap on the wrist, relatively mild criticism or censure.

   He got away with a slap on the wrist.

slap ² American  

[slap] / slæp /

noun

1. a gap or opening, as in a fence, wall, cloud bank, or line of troops.

2. a mountain pass.

3. a wound or gash.

---

verb (used with object)

slapped, slapping

1. to make a gap or opening in; breach.

slap British  

/ slæp /

noun

1. a sharp blow or smack, as with the open hand, something flat, etc

2. the sound made by or as if by such a blow

3. a sharp rebuke; reprimand

4. informal sexual play

5. an insult or rebuff

6. congratulation

7. a light punishment or reprimand

---

verb

1. (tr) to strike (a person or thing) sharply, as with the open hand or something flat

2. (tr) to bring down (the hand, something flat, etc) sharply

3. to strike (something) with or as if with a slap

4. informal (tr) to apply in large quantities, haphazardly, etc

   she slapped butter on the bread

5. to congratulate

adverb

1. exactly; directly

   slap on time

2. forcibly or abruptly

   to fall slap on the floor

Related Words

See blow ¹.

Other Word Forms

• slapper noun

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”

Example Sentences

Despite the Supreme Court’s decision, Trump is still able to slap tariffs on other countries’ products as they are imported, based on sector-specific issues like automobiles and other trade-related statutes.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

A favorite tactic was to slip into a flock of sleeping birds in a “sneak” boat and slap its sides just before the shot to get the birds’ heads up.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

This is despite the EU's decision to slap hefty tariffs on imports of Chinese-made EVs in a bid to protect its domestic manufacturers.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

First Minister Michelle O'Neills said the funding is a "slap in the face" and that it "doesn't touch the surface of what is required" for households affected by the rising costs.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

I slap hands with Connor and Kaitlyn and bend down so Nolan and Mia can pat and rub my head.

From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner

Related Words

• blip
• blow
• pat
• punch
• whack