What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
whap
Example
The door whapped shut behind her. [whap: verb]
Example
He gave the ball a whap with his hand. [whap: noun]
smack
Example
She smacked the table in frustration. [smacked: past tense]
Example
The fisherman heard the smack of the waves against the boat. [smack: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Smack is more commonly used than whap in everyday language. Smack is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while whap is less common and often associated with a more informal tone.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between whap and smack?
While smack can be used in both formal and informal contexts, whap is typically associated with a more informal and casual tone, making it less appropriate for formal situations.