slap
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to hit someone or something with the flat part of your hand.
v.to strike with the open hand or with something flat. Transitive when directed at a person or object.
Simple“She was so angry that she almost slapped him across the face.”
In context“The waves slapped rhythmically against the side of the wooden boat throughout the night.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to put something down quickly or without being careful.
v.to place or apply something with force or a lack of precision. Often used with 'on' or 'down'.
Simple“He just slapped a coat of paint on the wall and called it finished.”
In context“The editor slapped a sensationalist headline on the article to ensure it would go viral by morning.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
v.to be very good or impressive, especially used when talking about music.
v.to be of exceptionally high quality or to have a powerful impact. Intransitive and stative in this sense.
Simple“Have you heard the new album? The bass line on the first track really slaps.”
In context“While the lyrics are somewhat repetitive, the production on this track absolutely slaps in a club environment.”
- 04 B1 Intermediate
n.a hit with an open hand, or the sound that a hit like that makes.
n.a blow delivered with the open hand or a flat object; also the sharp, percussive sound resulting from such an impact.
Simple“The slap was so loud that everyone in the quiet room turned to look.”
In context“He felt the sting of the slap on his cheek long after the argument had ended.”
- 05 C2 Proficiency
n.a casual word for makeup or cosmetics.
n.makeup or cosmetics. Primarily used in British English in informal contexts.
Simple“Wait a minute, I just need to put some slap on before we go out.”
In context“She arrived at the party wearing a thick layer of slap that made her almost unrecognisable to her colleagues.”
- 06 C1 Advanced
adv.exactly or directly in a certain place.
adv.directly, precisely, or squarely. Often used in the phrase 'slap bang'.
Simple“The new hotel is slap in the middle of the city's historic district.”
In context“The arrow landed slap in the centre of the target, much to the surprise of the amateur archer.”
- 07 C1 Advanced
“The shopkeeper who served her is slapped and hauled in for questioning.”
From Middle English slappen, of uncertain origin, possibly imitative. Compare Low German Slappe (“slap”), whence also German Schlappe (“defeat”). Compare also Italian sleppa (“slap”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.