What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
heroin
Example
The patient was prescribed heroin to manage their chronic pain. [heroin: noun]
Example
He became addicted to heroin after using it recreationally. [heroin: noun]
smack
Example
He was caught with a bag of smack in his pocket. [smack: noun]
Example
She started using smack after experimenting with other drugs. [smack: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Heroin is a more commonly used term than smack in formal contexts, while smack is more commonly used in informal contexts and in British English.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between heroin and smack?
Heroin is a more formal term used in medical and legal contexts, while smack is a slang term used in informal contexts and is considered less formal.
