# slaps

/ˈsɫæps/ (US) · /slˈæps/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/slaps
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

describes music or food that is excellent or very impressive. It is a fun way to say something is high quality.

For teachers: denotes something, particularly a piece of music or a meal, that is exceptionally good or impressive. Slang in register; primarily used in African American Vernacular English before entering mainstream digital discourse.

## Examples

- This new song really slaps.
- I didn't expect much from a gas station taco, but this meal absolutely slaps.
- While the lyrics are somewhat repetitive, the heavy bass line and crisp production ensure that the track slaps in a club environment.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The music slaps me." but "The music slaps." — In this slang sense, the word is intransitive; it describes the quality of the subject rather than an action performed on an object.

## Usage notes

- The verb is intransitive in this slang sense and does not take a direct object.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.