Slap vs. Smack — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 26, 2023
A "Slap" is a sharp blow given with an open hand, while a "Smack" can refer to a sharp slap or the sound it makes, and also denotes a taste or flavor.
Difference Between Slap and Smack
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Slap" is a term commonly used to describe the action of striking someone with an open hand. This action often results in a sharp, resounding noise. Conversely, "Smack" has a broader usage; it can describe a similar action of delivering a slap, especially one that's loud and sharp, but can also refer to the sound produced by such an action.
Another interesting distinction between "Slap" and "Smack" lies in their versatility. While "Slap" mainly pertains to the physical action, "Smack" extends its reach into the realm of taste. For instance, when someone mentions a "smack of saltiness" in a dish, they're referring to a discernible hint or trace of that flavor.
Furthermore, "Slap" can be used in idiomatic expressions such as "a slap on the wrist," which means a light punishment. On the other hand, "Smack" can be used to describe something done directly or forthrightly, as in "smack in the middle." This showcases the differing avenues of usage for both words.
In popular culture, both "Slap" and "Smack" find their place, but with distinct contexts. While "Slap" is often used in a literal sense or to denote surprise (like "a slap in the face"), "Smack" might be associated with both the act of slapping and the resultant sound, or, in some contexts, even to illicit drugs.
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Strike with an open hand
A sharp slap or its sound
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Secondary Meaning
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A taste or flavor
Sound Association
Often produces a sound
Specifically denotes the sound of a sharp slap
Idiomatic Usage
"A slap on the wrist"
"Smack in the middle"
Extended Usage
In context of surprise or shock
Can refer to illicit drugs in slang
Compare with Definitions
Slap
A sharp sound resulting from a slap.
The slap of the water against the boat was soothing.
Smack
A taste or flavor, especially a trace of it.
The soup had a smack of garlic.
Slap
To apply or place something swiftly.
She slapped on some sunscreen before heading to the beach.
Smack
To strike sharply, producing a smack.
She smacked her lips in anticipation.
Slap
A sharp blow made with the open hand or with a flat object; a smack.
Smack
Slang for certain illicit drugs.
The city has been struggling with smack distribution.
Slap
The sound of such a blow.
Smack
A sharp slap or blow, typically one given with the palm of the hand
She gave Mark a smack across the face
Slap
A sharp insult
A slap to one's pride.
Smack
A flavour or taste of
Anything with even a modest smack of hops dries the palate
Slap
To strike with the palm of the hand or a flat object
Slapped him in the face.
Smack
A single-masted sailing boat used for coasting or fishing
The village still harbours a few fishing smacks
Slap
To cause to strike forcefully and loudly
"He took a clipping from his wallet and slapped it on the bar" (Nathanael West).
Smack
Heroin
I was out scoring smack
Slap
To put or place quickly or carelessly
Slapped butter on a bagel.
Smack
Strike (someone or something), typically with the palm of the hand and as a punishment
Jessica smacked his face, quite hard
Slap
To subject to a legal obligation, such as a fine or court order
Slapped him with a speeding ticket.
Slapped her with a lawsuit.
Smack
Part (one's lips) noisily in eager anticipation or enjoyment of food or drink
Morgan drank half the Scotch and smacked his lips
Slap
To impose (a legal obligation) on someone
The judge slapped an additional fine on the unruly defendant.
Smack
Crack (a whip)
The four postilions smacked their whips in concert
Slap
To strike or beat with the force and sound of a slap
Waves slapping against the raft.
Smack
Have a flavour of; taste of
The tea smacked strongly of tannin
Slap
Directly and with force
Drove slap into the guardrail.
Smack
In a sudden and violent way
I ran smack into the back of a parked truck
Slap
(countable) A blow, especially one given with the open hand, or with something broad and flat.
He gave me a friendly slap on the back as a sign of camaraderie.
Smack
Exactly; precisely
Our mother's house was smack in the middle of the city
Slap
(countable) A sharp percussive sound like that produced by such a blow.
The slap of my feet on the bathroom tiles
Smack
To press together and open (the lips) quickly and noisily, as in eating or tasting.
Slap
The percussive sound produced in slap bass playing.
Smack
To kiss noisily.
Slap
Makeup; cosmetics.
Smack
To strike sharply and with a loud noise.
Slap
An eye-catching sticker used in street art.
Smack
To make or give a smack.
Slap
(transitive) To give a slap to.
She slapped him in response to the insult.
Smack
To collide sharply and noisily
The ball smacked against the side of the house.
Slap
(transitive) To cause something to strike soundly.
He slapped the reins against the horse's back.
Smack
To have a distinctive flavor or taste. Used with of.
Slap
(intransitive) To strike soundly against something.
The rain slapped against the window-panes.
Smack
To give an indication; be suggestive. Often used with of
"an agenda that does not smack of compromise" (Time).
Slap
To be excellent.
The band's new single slaps.
Smack
The loud sharp sound of smacking.
Slap
(transitive) To place, to put carelessly.
We'd better slap some fresh paint on that wall.
Smack
A noisy kiss.
Slap
To impose a penalty, etc. on (someone).
I was slapped with a parking fine.
Smack
A sharp blow or slap.
Slap
To play slap bass on (an instrument).
Smack
A distinctive flavor or taste.
Slap
Exactly, precisely
He tossed the file down slap in the middle of the table.
Smack
A suggestion or trace.
Slap
A blow, esp. one given with the open hand, or with something broad.
Smack
A small amount; a smattering.
Slap
To strike with the open hand, or with something broad.
Smack
A fishing boat sailing under various rigs, according to size, and often having a well used to transport the catch to market.
Slap
With a sudden and violent blow; hence, quickly; instantly; directly.
Smack
Heroin.
Slap
A blow from a flat object (as an open hand)
Smack
With a smack
Fell smack on her head.
Slap
The act of smacking something; a blow delivered with an open hand
Smack
Directly
"We were smack in the middle of another controversy about a public man's personal life" (Ellen Goodman).
Slap
Hit with something flat, like a paddle or the open hand;
The impatient teacher slapped the student
A gunshot slapped him on the forehead
Smack
A distinct flavor, especially if slight.
Rice pudding with a smack of cinnamon
Slap
Directly;
He ran bang into the pole
Ran slap into her
Smack
A slight trace of something; a smattering.
Slap
A blow given with an open hand.
He gave his friend a playful slap on the back.
Smack
Heroin.
Slap
A sudden or unexpected action or occurrence.
The news came as a slap in the face.
Smack
(Northern England) A form of fried potato; a scallop.
Slap
A quick or brisk application.
With a slap of paint, the room looked new.
Smack
A small sailing vessel, commonly rigged as a sloop, used chiefly in the coasting and fishing trade and often called a fishing smack
Smack
A group of jellyfish.
Smack
A sharp blow; a slap. See also: spank.
Smack
The sound of a loud kiss.
Smack
A quick, sharp noise, as of the lips when suddenly separated, or of a whip.
Smack
(transitive) To get the flavor of.
Smack
(intransitive) To have a particular taste; used with of.
Smack
(intransitive) To indicate or suggest something; used with of.
Her reckless behavior smacks of pride.
Smack
To slap or hit someone.
Smack
To make a smacking sound.
Smack
(especially outside of North America) To strike a child (usually on the buttocks) as a form of discipline. (normal U.S. and Canadian term spank)
Smack
To wetly separate the lips, making a noise, after tasting something or in expectation of a treat.
Smack
To kiss with a close compression of the lips, so as to make a sound when they separate.
Smack
As if with a smack or slap; smartly; sharply.
Right smack bang in the middle.
Smack
A small sailing vessel, commonly rigged as a sloop, used chiefly in the coasting and fishing trade.
Smack
Taste or flavor, esp. a slight taste or flavor; savor; tincture; as, a smack of bitter in the medicine. Also used figuratively.
So quickly they have taken a smack in covetousness.
They felt the smack of this world.
Smack
A small quantity; a taste.
Smack
A loud kiss; a buss.
Smack
A quick, sharp noise, as of the lips when suddenly separated, or of a whip.
Smack
A quick, smart blow; a slap.
Smack
A slang term for heroin.
Smack
As if with a smack or slap.
Smack
To have a smack; to be tinctured with any particular taste.
Smack
To have or exhibit indications of the presence of any character or quality.
All sects, all ages, smack of this vice.
Smack
To kiss with a close compression of the lips, so as to make a sound when they separate; to kiss with a sharp noise; to buss.
Smack
To make a noise by the separation of the lips after tasting anything.
Smack
To kiss with a sharp noise; to buss.
Smack
To open, as the lips, with an inarticulate sound made by a quick compression and separation of the parts of the mouth; to make a noise with, as the lips, by separating them in the act of kissing or after tasting.
Drinking off the cup, and smacking his lips with an air of ineffable relish.
Smack
To make a sharp noise by striking; to crack; as, to smack a whip.
Smack
A blow from a flat object (as an open hand)
Smack
The taste experience when a savoury condiment is taken into the mouth
Smack
A sailing ship (usually rigged like a sloop or cutter) used in fishing and sailing along the coast
Smack
Street names for heroin
Smack
An enthusiastic kiss
Smack
The act of smacking something; a blow delivered with an open hand
Smack
Deliver a hard blow to;
The teacher smacked the student who had misbehaved
Smack
Have an element suggestive (of something);
His speeches smacked of racism
Smack
Have a distinctive or characteristic taste;
This tastes of nutmeg
Smack
Kiss lightly
Smack
Eat noisily by smacking one's lips
Smack
Directly;
He ran bang into the pole
Ran slap into her
Smack
A sharp slap or blow, or its sound.
The ball hit the wall with a loud smack.
Smack
Directly; squarely.
The arrow hit smack in the center.
Common Curiosities
Is Smack always violent in nature?
No, it can also denote a taste or flavor.
How does Smack differ from Slap?
Smack can refer to a sharp slap, its sound, or even a taste.
Can Slap be used to describe surprise?
Yes, as in phrases like "a slap in the face."
Is a Slap always negative?
No, it can be playful or affectionate, depending on context.
What does "smack in the middle" mean?
It means directly or squarely in the center.
What's an idiomatic expression involving Slap?
"A slap on the wrist" means a light punishment.
Is there a sound associated with a Slap?
Yes, slapping often produces a sharp, resounding sound.
What is a Slap?
A Slap is a blow delivered with an open hand.
Can you "smack" your lips?
Yes, smacking lips refers to pressing them together and parting them, often to express anticipation or satisfaction.
Can Smack be associated with drugs?
In slang, "smack" can refer to certain illicit drugs.
Does Smack always refer to sound?
No, it can also refer to a taste or flavor.
What does a "smack of saltiness" mean?
It means there's a discernible hint or trace of salt
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
