slap

A hit with an open hand or something broad and flat.

• He gave me a slap.
• A friendly slap on the back nearly knocked her over.
• The child received a painful slap on the cheek.

How to use it: give someone a slap on something (He gave her a friendly slap on the back.); slap in the face (She felt a sharp slap in the face.)

Similar words: smack

Common phrases: slap on something, slap in something, give a slap, hard slap

A short, sharp sound made when something flat hits a surface.

• The wet towel landed with a slap.
• I heard the slap of bare feet on tiles.
• The steady slap of waves kept us awake.

How to use it: slap of something against something (We heard the slap of waves against the boat.)

Similar words: smack

Common phrases: slap of something, wet slap, sharp slap

To hit someone with an open hand or a flat object.

• She slapped his hand.
• He slapped me on the back and laughed.
• Why did you slap him across the face?

How to use it: slap someone on something (He slapped me on the shoulder.); slap someone across the face (She slapped him across the face.)

Similar words: smack

Common phrases: slap someone hard, slap someone's face, slap someone's back

To make something hit a surface with a sharp sound.

• He slapped the cards onto the table.
• She slapped a wet towel against the wall.
• He slapped the reins sharply to get the horse moving.

How to use it: slap something against something (He slapped the reins against the horse's back.); slap something down on something (She slapped the newspaper down on the table.)

Common phrases: slap something down, slap against something, slap something on something

Exactly in the place or position mentioned.

• It landed slap in the middle.
• He parked slap in front of our gate.
• The house stood slap bang in the centre of town.

How to use it: slap in the middle of something (A tree stood slap in the middle of the garden.); slap bang in something (The hotel is slap bang in the town centre.)

Similar words: right, exactly, squarely

Common phrases: slap in, slap bang in, slap in front

Extremely good or enjoyable.

• This pizza is slap.
• Those cookies were slap, so I ate three.
• The new song is absolutely slap.

Similar words: great, excellent, amazing

Opposites: terrible

Common phrases: is slap, slap food, slap music