English Reference

Word

slap

US/ˈsɫæp/

UK/slˈæp/

Definitions

01to hit with a palm

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.

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

“The waves slapped rhythmically against the side of the wooden boat throughout the night.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

02to put down carelessly

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

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'.

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

“The editor slapped a sensationalist headline on the article to ensure it would go viral by morning.”

Synonyms

stickplonkdump

03to be excellent

C1 · Advanced Music Slang

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.

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

“While the lyrics are somewhat repetitive, the production on this track absolutely slaps in a club environment.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

04a blow

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

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.

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

“He felt the sting of the slap on his cheek long after the argument had ended.”

Synonyms

05makeup

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun British English · Informal

n. a casual word for makeup or cosmetics.

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

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

“She arrived at the party wearing a thick layer of slap that made her almost unrecognisable to her colleagues.”

Synonyms

06exactly

C1 · Advanced Informal

adv. exactly or directly in a certain place.

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

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

“The arrow landed slap in the centre of the target, much to the surprise of the amateur archer.”

07excellent

C1 · Advanced British English · Slang

adj. very good or amazing.

adj. an intensifying adjective meaning excellent or impressive.

“That was a slap meal we had last night.”

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

Synonyms

Antonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “slap” in context.

Verb

01. slap a ban on imports

“The government decided to slap a ban on imports to protect local industries.”

verb + noun + prep + noun

02. slap a coat of paint

“We just need to slap a coat of paint on the walls to make the room look new.”

verb + noun + of + noun

03. slap the label on the box

“She quickly slapped the label on the box and sent it to the shipping department.”

verb + noun + prep + noun

04. slap the table in frustration

“He slapped the table in frustration when he realized he had lost the keys again.”

verb + noun + prep + noun

Preposition

05. with a slap

“The book hit the floor with a slap that echoed through the silent library.”

prep + noun

Adverb

06. hardly slap the surface

“The waves would hardly slap the surface of the pier during the calm summer evenings.”

adv + verb + noun

07. playfully slap his arm

“She would playfully slap his arm whenever he made a cheesy joke.”

adv + verb + noun

Real-World Examples

“The shopkeeper who served her is slapped and hauled in for questioning.”
UN News 12 Aug 2026

Etymology

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.

Word family

VERB

slap(C1)

Idioms

Domains

ArtMedicineMusic

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
Frequency
Frequent
Level
C1 · AdvancedOxford
Updated

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English Reference