noun

smack

smak

noun

A sharp, stinging slap or blow.

"He gave the mosquito a smack before it could bite him."

A slight trace or hint of a particular quality.

"His speech had a smack of arrogance to it."

Slang for heroin.

"The film depicted the devastating effects of smack addiction."

verb

To hit someone or something sharply, often with the open hand.

"She smacked the table in frustration."

How to Use Smack

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word Forms

smacked past tense, smacked past tense, smacks plural, smacks plural, smacks plural, Smacks plural, smacks singular, smacks singular

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Can you complete this real example?

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.

Rhymes for smack

ACK jack hack back tack wack pack sack rack lack Mack Zack

See all rhymes for smack →