Is there any difference in meaning between "slap" and "smack"?

Rebecca

Good question! There is a difference in meaning, although both mean to hit or strike someone. "Smack" implies less force and is a much lighter action. It is often used to describe the action of hitting someone in a playful or meaning way. Thus, you might slap someone out of anger, but you might smack someone to joke around with them. Ex: I smacked my brother in the head with a pillow. Ex: An incident that shocked the world was that of Will Smith slapping Chris Rock during the Oscars.