Slap vs. Smack
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 22, 2023
Slap refers to a sharp blow with an open hand, while smack can be a sharp blow with a part of the hand or refer to a distinct flavor or taste.
Key Differences
The perception and depiction of a slap often involve notions of insult and humiliation, given its association with striking the face, an action packed with symbolic meaning. Smack, on the other hand, is more flexible, describing a physical action, a sound, or a flavor, adding a layer of versatility to its usage, which isn’t as prevalent in the term slap.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
A slap is a form of a strike characterized by using an open hand, which distinguishes it from a fist. It is often considered disrespectful and offensive. The word smack, when used as a verb referring to striking, can be synonymous with slap, but it also has additional meanings, such as a distinctive taste or flavor in food, suggesting a multifaceted usage.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
When considering the audial aspect, a slap typically produces a sharp, distinctive sound due to the open hand making contact, while the sound associated with a smack is often perceived as louder and more resonant, possibly due to its flexibility in describing different kinds of impacts.
Samantha Walker
Sep 22, 2023
Lastly, the contextual range of smack is significantly broader. Its relevance in culinary contexts, describing a hint or trace of flavor, illustrates its multifunctionality. This makes smack a more versatile term in comparison to slap, which primarily denotes a specific physical action.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023
The slap is generally associated with the act of striking one's face with an open hand, typically delivering a sharp, stinging blow. A smack can also refer to a strike, usually implying a louder, more forceful impact, but the smack's applicability extends beyond a physical blow to describing tastes, symbolizing the broadness of its semantic field.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Comparison Chart
Definition
A sharp blow delivered with an open hand.
A sharp blow or a distinct taste or flavor.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Associated Sound
Produces a sharp, distinctive sound.
Associated with a louder, more resonant sound.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Context of Usage
Primarily refers to a physical action of striking with the open hand.
Used in various contexts, to describe an action, a sound, or a flavor.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Part of Speech
Can be used as a noun or a verb.
Can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adjective.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Impact
Associated with a stinging, less forceful blow.
Implies a possibly louder, more forceful impact.
Samantha Walker
Sep 22, 2023
Slap and Smack Definitions
Smack
A taste or flavor, especially a trace of it.
The sauce had a smack of garlic and herbs.
Samantha Walker
Sep 22, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Slap
A sudden impact or sound.
The slap of the wave against the boat was loud.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023
Slap
An act of striking with an open hand.
The slap was so sudden that it left everyone in shock.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Smack
To press together and open (the lips) quickly and noisily, as in eating or tasting.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Smack
To collide sharply and noisily
The ball smacked against the side of the house.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Slap
To strike with the palm of the hand or a flat object
Slapped him in the face.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Slap
To cause to strike forcefully and loudly
"He took a clipping from his wallet and slapped it on the bar" (Nathanael West).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Smack
To give an indication; be suggestive. Often used with of
"an agenda that does not smack of compromise" (Time).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Slap
To impose (a legal obligation) on someone
The judge slapped an additional fine on the unruly defendant.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Slap
To strike or beat with the force and sound of a slap
Waves slapping against the raft.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Slap
(countable) A sharp percussive sound like that produced by such a blow.
The slap of my feet on the bathroom tiles
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Smack
A fishing boat sailing under various rigs, according to size, and often having a well used to transport the catch to market.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Smack
Directly
"We were smack in the middle of another controversy about a public man's personal life" (Ellen Goodman).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Slap
(transitive) To give a slap to.
She slapped him in response to the insult.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Smack
A distinct flavor, especially if slight.
Rice pudding with a smack of cinnamon
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Slap
(transitive) To cause something to strike soundly.
He slapped the reins against the horse's back.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Slap
(intransitive) To strike soundly against something.
The rain slapped against the window-panes.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Slap
(transitive) To place, to put carelessly.
We'd better slap some fresh paint on that wall.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Smack
A small sailing vessel, commonly rigged as a sloop, used chiefly in the coasting and fishing trade and often called a fishing smack
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Slap
To impose a penalty, etc. on (someone).
I was slapped with a parking fine.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Slap
Exactly, precisely
He tossed the file down slap in the middle of the table.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Smack
A quick, sharp noise, as of the lips when suddenly separated, or of a whip.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Smack
(intransitive) To indicate or suggest something; used with of.
Her reckless behavior smacks of pride.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
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
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
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)
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Slap
A sharp blow made by an open hand.
He received a slap on the cheek for his rude comment.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Smack
To wetly separate the lips, making a noise, after tasting something or in expectation of a treat.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Smack
To kiss with a close compression of the lips, so as to make a sound when they separate.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Smack
As if with a smack or slap; smartly; sharply.
Right smack bang in the middle.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Smack
A small sailing vessel, commonly rigged as a sloop, used chiefly in the coasting and fishing trade.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Smack
A quick, sharp noise, as of the lips when suddenly separated, or of a whip.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Smack
To have or exhibit indications of the presence of any character or quality.
All sects, all ages, smack of this vice.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Smack
A sailing ship (usually rigged like a sloop or cutter) used in fishing and sailing along the coast
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Smack
Deliver a hard blow to;
The teacher smacked the student who had misbehaved
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Smack
Have an element suggestive (of something);
His speeches smacked of racism
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 20, 2023
Smack
A sharp, audible blow or slap.
The smack could be heard across the room when she slapped the mosquito.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Smack
A sailing ship, usually used in coastal trade.
A smack sailed smoothly across the coast carrying fish.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
FAQs
Are slap and smack interchangeable?
They can be, when referring to a sharp blow, but smack has additional meanings, such as a distinct taste or flavor.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Is a slap more disrespectful than a smack?
A slap is often seen as disrespectful, especially when directed to the face, but context is crucial in assessing disrespect in both terms.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Can smack refer to a flavor or taste?
Yes, smack can refer to a distinct or trace flavor in food.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Does smack always imply a louder sound than a slap?
Often, but not necessarily, as the perceived loudness depends on the force applied and the context.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023
Is a slap always done with an open hand?
Typically, yes. A slap is characterized by the use of an open hand.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Can the word slap be used as a verb?
Yes, slap can function as both a noun and a verb.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Is a slap always delivered to the face?
While commonly associated with striking the face, a slap can be delivered to other parts of the body.
Samantha Walker
Sep 22, 2023
Is smack only used to describe physical actions?
No, smack is versatile and can describe physical actions, sounds, or flavors.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023
Can the action of a slap be playful?
Context is key. A slap can be playful or harmful, depending on the intent and situation.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Can smack be used to describe a sound?
Yes, smack can describe a sharp, resonant sound typically associated with a sharp blow.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Can a slap be perceived as violent?
Yes, depending on the context and force, a slap can be perceived as violent.
Janet White
Sep 22, 2023
Can the term smack be used in cooking?
Yes, smack is often used to describe a hint or trace of flavor in culinary contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Is the sound of a slap distinctive?
Yes, a slap typically produces a sharp and distinctive sound due to the open hand making contact.
Samantha Walker
Sep 22, 2023
Does smack have a colloquial use?
Yes, smack is colloquially used to describe a trace of flavor and can have other colloquial meanings.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Can the word smack be used as an adjective?
Yes, for example, "smack in the middle," where it means directly or exactly in the middle.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
