noun
Uncommon
smack
smak
Smack (noun) means a sharp, stinging slap or blow. Example: “He gave the mosquito a smack before it could bite him.”
noun
1
A sharp, stinging slap or blow.
"He gave the mosquito a smack before it could bite him."
"He got a sharp smack on the hand for touching the oven."
"The toddler gave the drum a happy smack with both palms."
2
A slight trace or hint of a particular quality.
"His speech had a smack of arrogance to it."
"The dish had a smack of garlic that lingered on the tongue."
"Her reply had a smack of sarcasm about it."
3
Slang for heroin.
"The film depicted the devastating effects of smack addiction."
"The documentary explained how smack ruined his early life."
"Police warned the community about smack being sold on the streets."
verb
1
To hit someone or something sharply, often with the open hand.
"She smacked the table in frustration."
"The waiter smacked the bottom of the ketchup bottle to loosen it."
"A big wave smacked the side of the boat."
How to use smack
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCan mean a sharp hit, a hint of something, or (as slang) the drug heroin.
When to use it
The drug sense is informal slang and should be used carefully depending on context.
Common pairings
smack of hypocrisy
smack in the face
a smack of
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Word forms
- Plural
- smacks
- Third person singular
- smacks
- Past tense
- smacked
Fill the gap
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He gave the mosquito a _____ before it could bite him.
Etymology
From Old English "smæċċ," meaning taste or flavor, related to a Germanic root for "to taste" — the "hit" and "kiss" senses developed later from the sharp sound involved.
Related words
Rhymes for smack
See all rhymes for smack →Frequently asked questions
What does “smack” mean?
The word “smack” means a sharp, stinging slap or blow. In plain terms, can mean a sharp hit, a hint of something, or (as slang) the drug heroin.
How do you pronounce “smack”?
“Smack” is pronounced smak (/smæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “smack” in a sentence?
Here is “smack” used in a sentence: “He gave the mosquito a smack before it could bite him.”
What part of speech is “smack”?
Depending on how it is used, “smack” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “smack” come from?
The word “smack” comes from Old English. From Old English "smæċċ," meaning taste or flavor, related to a Germanic root for "to taste" — the "hit" and "kiss" senses developed later from the sharp sound involved.
Is “smack” a common word?
“Smack” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “smack” have?
“Smack” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sharp, stinging slap or blow.
What is the difference between a smack and a slap?
A smack is a sharp, stinging blow, often delivered with the open hand like a slap, but "smack" can refer to any sharp hit, not just one aimed at the face.
Is smack ever used as slang for a drug?
Yes, smack is slang for heroin, a usage entirely separate from its meanings related to hitting or a hint of a quality.
Is smack formal or informal?
Smack is an informal, everyday word in all of its senses and is not typically used in formal writing.
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