smack

[ smak ]

/ smæk /

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See synonyms for: smack / smacked / smacking on Thesaurus.com

noun

a taste or flavor, especially a slight flavor distinctive or suggestive of something: The chicken had just a smack of garlic.

a trace, touch, or suggestion of something.

a taste, mouthful, or small quantity.

verb (used without object)

to have a taste, flavor, trace, or suggestion: Your politeness smacks of condescension.

OTHER WORDS FOR smack

1 savor.

2 hint.

4 taste, suggest.

See synonyms for smack on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of smack

First recorded before 1000; (noun) Middle English smacke, Old English smæc; cognate with Middle Low German smak, German Geschmack “taste”; (verb) Middle English smacken “to perceive by taste, have a (specified) taste,” derivative of the noun; compare German schmacken

Other definitions for smack (2 of 4)

smack²

[ smak ]

/ smæk /

verb (used with object)

to strike sharply, especially with the open hand or a flat object.

to drive or send with a sharp, resounding blow or stroke: to smack a ball over a fence.

to close and open (the lips) smartly so as to produce a sharp sound, often as a sign of relish, as in eating.

to kiss with or as with a loud sound.

verb (used without object)

to smack the lips.

to collide, come together, or strike something forcibly.

to make a sharp sound as of striking against something.

noun

a sharp, resounding blow, especially with something flat.

a smacking of the lips, as in relish or anticipation.

a resounding or loud kiss.

adverb Informal.

suddenly and violently: He rode smack up against the side of the house.

directly; straight: The street runs smack into the center of town.

Verb Phrases

smack down, Slang. to humble (an arrogant person); rebuke or criticize severely.

Origin of smack

First recorded in 1550–60; imitative; compare Dutch, Low German smakken, German (dialectal) schmacken

Other definitions for smack (3 of 4)

smack³

[ smak ]

/ smæk /

noun

Eastern U.S. a fishing vessel, especially one having a well for keeping the catch alive.

British. any of various small, fully decked, fore-and-aft-rigged vessels used for trawling or coastal trading.

Origin of smack

First recorded in 1605–15, smack is from the Dutch word smak

Other definitions for smack (4 of 4)

smack⁴

[ smak ]

/ smæk /

noun Slang.

heroin.

Origin of smack

⁴

First recorded in 1960–65; probably special use of smack¹; compare earlier slang schmeck with same sense (from Yiddish shmek “sniff, whiff”; compare Middle High German smecken (German schmecken ) “to taste”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use smack in a sentence

In the video, Solange smacks and kicks her brother-in-law while Beyonce DOESN'T EVEN FLINCH.
Solange Smacks Jay Z, Legolas Slaps Bieber, and the Biggest Celebrity Feuds of the Year|Amy Zimmerman|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To many of us, that smacks of censorship, the highest offense to our pride in self-publicity.
On Torture, Chuck Johnson & Sondheim|James Poulos|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
About the only thing nearby that smacks of politics is an adjacent pop-up Halloween costume store.
Mystery Man Buys Kentucky for the GOP|Center for Public Integrity|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One thing to be strenuously avoided is anything that smacks of glorifying the act itself.
'Genie, You're Free': Suicide Is Not Liberation|Russell Saunders|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Ultimately, The Slap becomes something heartwarming amidst the barrage of stinging smacks.
Viral Video of the Day: Slapping Brings People Together|Alex Chancey|June 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
More boats and smacks arrive; the rattling of anchors and chain cables is heard in all directions.
Skipper Worse|Alexander Lange Kielland
It says in effect: there is nothing either in her acts or her carriage, "but smacks of something greater than herself."
Notes and Queries, Number 196, July 30, 1853|Various
Rarely one might make out fishing-smacks drifting across the horizon.
In Search of the Unknown|Robert W. Chambers
Delia (struggling with some emotion and placing her hand on Belinda's arm, who playfully smacks it).
Belinda|A. A. Milne
I'll give her two resounding smacks the wery minute as I sees her.
Sue, A Little Heroine|L. T. Meade

British Dictionary definitions for smack (1 of 4)

smack¹

/ (smæk) /

noun

a smell or flavour that is distinctive though faint

a distinctive trace or touchthe smack of corruption

a small quantity, esp a mouthful or taste

verb (intr foll by of)

to have the characteristic smell or flavour (of something)to smack of the sea

to have an element suggestive (of something)his speeches smacked of bigotry

Word Origin for smack

Old English smæc; related to Old High German smoc, Icelandic smekkr a taste, Dutch smaak

British Dictionary definitions for smack (2 of 4)

smack²

/ (smæk) /

verb

(tr) to strike or slap smartly, with or as if with the open hand

to strike or send forcibly or loudly or to be struck or sent forcibly or loudly

to open and close (the lips) loudly, esp to show pleasure

(tr) to kiss noisily

noun

a sharp resounding slap or blow with something flat, or the sound of such a blow

a loud kiss

a sharp sound made by the lips, as in enjoyment

have a smack at informal, mainly British to attempt

smack in the eye informal, mainly British a snub or setback

adverb informal

directly; squarely

with a smack; sharply and unexpectedly

Word Origin for smack

C16: from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch smacken, probably of imitative origin

British Dictionary definitions for smack (3 of 4)

smack³

/ (smæk) /

noun

a slang word for heroin

Word Origin for smack

C20: perhaps from Yiddish schmeck

British Dictionary definitions for smack (4 of 4)

smack⁴

/ (smæk) /

noun

a sailing vessel, usually sloop-rigged, used in coasting and fishing along the British coast

a fishing vessel equipped with a well for keeping the catch alive

Word Origin for smack

C17: from Low German smack or Dutch smak, of unknown origin

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

smack

OTHER WORDS FOR smack

Origin of smack

Other definitions for smack (2 of 4)

Origin of smack

Other definitions for smack (3 of 4)

Origin of smack

Other definitions for smack (4 of 4)

Origin of smack

Words related to smack

How to use smack in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for smack (1 of 4)

Word Origin for smack

British Dictionary definitions for smack (2 of 4)

Word Origin for smack

British Dictionary definitions for smack (3 of 4)

Word Origin for smack

British Dictionary definitions for smack (4 of 4)

Word Origin for smack