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Knock vs Smack - What's the difference?

knock | smack | Synonyms |

Knock is a synonym of smack.


As nouns the difference between knock and smack

is that knock is an abrupt rapping sound, as from an impact of a hard object against wood while smack is a distinct flavor or smack can be a small sailing vessel, commonly rigged as a sloop, used chiefly in the coasting and fishing trade and often called a or smack can be a sharp blow; a slap see also: spank .

As verbs the difference between knock and smack

is that knock is (dated) to rap one's knuckles against something, especially wood while smack is to indicate or suggest something or smack can be to slap someone, or to make a smacking sound.

As an adverb smack is

as if with a smack or slap.

knock

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • An abrupt rapping sound, as from an impact of a hard object against wood
    • I heard a knock on my door.
  • An impact.
    • He took a knock on the head.
  • (figurative) criticism
  • * 2012 , Tom Lamont, How Mumford & Sons became the biggest band in the world'' (in ''The Daily Telegraph , 15 November 2012)[http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/nov/15/mumford-sons-biggest-band-world]
    • Since forming in 2007 Mumford & Sons have hard-toured their way to a vast market for throaty folk that's strong on banjo and bass drum. They have released two enormous albums. But, wow, do they take some knocks back home.
  • (cricket) a batsman's innings.
    • He played a slow but sure knock of 35.
  • (automotive) Preignition, a type of abnormal combustion occurring in spark ignition engines caused by self-ignition or the characteristic knocking sound associated with it.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • (dated) To rap one's knuckles against something, especially wood.
    • Knock on the door and find out if they're home.
  • (dated) To strike for admittance; to rap upon, as a door.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Master, knock the door hard.
  • (ambitransitive, dated) To bump or impact.
    • I knocked against the table and bruised my leg.
    I accidentally knocked my drink off the bar.
  • * 1900 , L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Chapter 23
    • "The Silver Shoes," said the Good Witch, "have wonderful powers. And one of the most curious things about them is that they can carry you to any place in the world in three steps, and each step will be made in the wink of an eye. All you have to do is to knock the heels together three times and command the shoes to carry you wherever you wish to go."
  • (colloquial) To denigrate, undervalue.
    • Don't knock it until you've tried it.
  • (soccer) To pass, kick a ball towards another player.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=January 11 , author=Jonathan Stevenson , title=West Ham 2 - 1 Birmingham , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=Despite enjoying more than their fair share of possession the visitors did not look like creating anything, with their lack of a killer ball painfully obvious as they harmlessly knocked the ball around outside the home side's box without ever looking like they would hurt them. }}

    Derived terms

    * knock someone's block off * knock someone's socks off

    Derived terms

    * antiknock * knock about * knock around * knock down * knock for a loop * knock it off * knock knock * knock off / knockoff * knock oneself out * knock somebody's socks off * knock out / knockout * knock over * knock up * knocked up * knocker * knocker up * knocking shop * school of hard knocks English onomatopoeias 1000 English basic words

    smack

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) smac, smak, smacke, from (etyl) . More at smake, smatch.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A distinct flavor.
  • A slight trace of something; a smattering.
  • * 1883 ,
    • He was not sailorly, and yet he had a smack of the sea about him too.
  • (slang) Heroin.
    • Derived terms
    * (l)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To indicate or suggest something.
    • Her reckless behavior smacks of pride.
  • * Shakespeare
    • All sects, all ages, smack of this vice.
  • To have a particular taste.
    • Derived terms
    * smack of

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) smack (Low German .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A small sailing vessel, commonly rigged as a sloop, used chiefly in the coasting and fishing trade and often called a .

    • Etymology 3

    From or akin to (etyl) ).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A sharp blow; a slap. See also: spank.
  • A loud kiss.
  • * Shakespeare
    • a clamorous smack
  • A quick, sharp noise, as of the lips when suddenly separated, or of a whip.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To slap someone, or to make a smacking sound.
  • * (Benjamin Disraeli)
    • A horse neighed, and a whip smacked , there was a whistle, and the sound of a cart wheel.
  • (New Zealand) To strike a child (usually on the buttocks) as a form of discipline. (US spank)
  • To wetly separate the lips, making a noise, after tasting something or in expectation of a treat.
  • * 1763 , Robert Lloyd, “A Familiar Epistle” in St. James Magazine :
    • But when, obedient to the mode / Of panegyric, courtly ode / The bard bestrides, his annual hack, / In vain I taste, and sip and smack , / I find no flavour of the Sack.
  • To kiss with a close compression of the lips, so as to make a sound when they separate.

    • Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • As if with a smack or slap
    • Right smack bang in the middle.
    Derived terms
    * smack-dab

    Anagrams

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