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slap

noun · verb · adverb

Simple meaning

A blow from a flat object.

Pronunciation

Say it like this:

slap
US device voice
IPA pronunciation (US)

ˈslæp

This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.

Word Review

Definition

Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.

noun

  1. A blow from a flat object (as an open hand)

  2. countable

    A blow, especially one given with the open hand, or with something broad and flat.

  3. countable

    A sharp percussive sound like that produced by such a blow.

  4. countablemusic

    The percussive sound produced in slap bass playing.

verb

  1. transitive

    To strike someone, typically with an open hand, often on the face.

  2. transitive

    To cause something to strike soundly.

  3. intransitive

    To strike soundly against something.

  4. transitive

    To place, to put carelessly.

  5. transitiveinformalfigurative

    To impose a penalty, etc. on (someone).

  6. transitiveinformal

    To play slap bass on (an instrument).

adverb

  1. Exactly, precisely

Word at a Glance

Difficulty
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Moderately Common
Typical Use
Neutral / general English

Word Aura™

How this word commonly comes across.

Aura for this meaning

This meaning: A blow from a flat object (as an open hand)

Used this way, slap is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.

Emotional tone
Neutral
Formality
Neutral
Intensity
Not strongly marked
How common
Moderately common
Connotation
Matter-of-fact
Usage feel
Neutral and straightforward

Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.

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Common Patterns and Combinations

How this word naturally appears with others.

hard slapsharp slapstinging slap

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Word Family

Related forms, grouped by how they connect.

Compound terms

Established multiword terms.

  • slap onverbCompound term

    Apply carelessly.

  • slap togetherverbCompound term

    Make hastily and carelessly.

  • slap-bangadverbCompound term

    Directly or immediately.

  • thigh-slappernounCompound term

    A joke that seems extremely funny.

Related Words

Connected to the same idea, not synonyms.

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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.