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slap

v. · n. · adv. · adj.
US //ˈsɫæp// UK //slˈæp// slap
  1. 1 to hit with a palm (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to hit someone or something with the flat part of your hand.

    to strike with the open hand or with something flat. Transitive when directed at a person or object.

    Example

    She was so angry that she almost slapped him across the face.

    Example

    The waves slapped rhythmically against the side of the wooden boat throughout the night.
  2. 2 to put down carelessly (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to put something down quickly or without being careful.

    to place or apply something with force or a lack of precision. Often used with 'on' or 'down'.

    Example

    He just slapped a coat of paint on the wall and called it finished.

    Example

    The editor slapped a sensationalist headline on the article to ensure it would go viral by morning.
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  1. 3 to be excellent (v.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Music

    to be very good or impressive, especially used when talking about music.

    to be of exceptionally high quality or to have a powerful impact. Intransitive and stative in this sense.

    Example

    Have you heard the new album? The bass line on the first track really slaps.

    Example

    While the lyrics are somewhat repetitive, the production on this track absolutely slaps in a club environment.
  2. 4 a blow (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a hit with an open hand, or the sound that a hit like that makes.

    a blow delivered with the open hand or a flat object; also the sharp, percussive sound resulting from such an impact.

    Example

    The slap was so loud that everyone in the quiet room turned to look.

    Example

    He felt the sting of the slap on his cheek long after the argument had ended.
  3. 5 makeup (n.)
    C2 Proficiency British English Informal

    a casual word for makeup or cosmetics.

    makeup or cosmetics. Primarily used in British English in informal contexts.

    Example

    Wait a minute, I just need to put some slap on before we go out.

    Example

    She arrived at the party wearing a thick layer of slap that made her almost unrecognisable to her colleagues.
  4. 6 exactly (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    exactly or directly in a certain place.

    directly, precisely, or squarely. Often used in the phrase 'slap bang'.

    Example

    The new hotel is slap in the middle of the city's historic district.

    Example

    The arrow landed slap in the centre of the target, much to the surprise of the amateur archer.
  5. 7 excellent (adj.)
    C1 Advanced British English Slang

    very good or amazing.

    an intensifying adjective meaning excellent or impressive.

    Example

    That was a slap meal we had last night.

    Example

    The band put on a slap performance that left the audience demanding three encores deep by midnight.
Origin

From Middle English slappen, of uncertain origin, possibly imitative. Compare Low German Slappe (“slap”), whence also German Schlappe (“defeat”). Compare also Italian sleppa (“slap”).

Word family
Idioms3 entries

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