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slap
/slæp/
to strike with an open hand
She slapped his face in anger.
She hit his face with an open hand because she was angry.
informal
to strike someone or something with an open hand
The child slapped the water while playing in the pool.
The child hit the water with an open hand while playing.
Can be used both physically and metaphorically in informal contexts.
informal
a light strike with an open hand
He gave her a playful slap on the back.
He lightly hit her on the back in a friendly way.
Can also refer to a light, non-aggressive touch.
Collocations
slap on the wrista mild punishment or reprimandslap in the facean insult or rejection
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The meaning of 'slap' can vary from aggressive to playful depending on the context.
Gold Rule
Physical vs. Metaphorical
Be mindful of the context to distinguish between a literal slap and a metaphorical one.
Word Origin
Old English 'slappian', from Proto-Germanic 'slappōnan' (to strike).
Usage Notes
Can be used both literally and metaphorically. In informal contexts, it can also mean a light, playful touch.
Word Breakdown
slap
to strike with an open hand
rootEnglish Dictionary