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Smack vs Slack - What's the difference?

smack | slack |

As nouns the difference between smack and slack

is that smack is a distinct flavor while slack is small coal; coal dust.

As verbs the difference between smack and slack

is that smack is to indicate or suggest something while slack is to slacken.

As adverbs the difference between smack and slack

is that smack is as if with a smack or slap while slack is slackly.

As an adjective slack is

lax; not tense; not hard drawn; not firmly extended.

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

    * ----

    slack

    English

    Noun

  • (uncountable) Small coal; coal dust.
  • (Raymond)
  • (countable) A valley, or small, shallow dell.
  • (uncountable) The part of anything that hangs loose, having no strain upon it.
  • The slack of a rope or of a sail.
  • (countable) A tidal marsh or shallow, that periodically fills and drains.
  • Synonyms

    * culm * (tidal marsh) slough

    Derived terms

    * (coal dust) nutty slack

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Lax; not tense; not hard drawn; not firmly extended.
  • a slack rope
  • Weak; not holding fast.
  • a slack hand
  • Remiss; backward; not using due diligence or care; not earnest or eager.
  • slack in duty or service
  • * Bible, 2 Peter iii. 9
  • The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness.
  • Not violent, rapid, or pressing.
  • Business is slack .
  • * {{quote-book, year=1928, author=Lawrence R. Bourne
  • , title=Well Tackled! , chapter=3 citation , passage=“They know our boats will stand up to their work,” said Willison, “and that counts for a good deal. A low estimate from us doesn't mean scamped work, but just for that we want to keep the yard busy over a slack time.”}}
  • (slang, West Indies) vulgar; sexually explicit, especially in dancehall music
  • Synonyms

    * slow, moderate, easy

    Derived terms

    * slack-jawed

    Adverb

    (-)
  • Slackly.
  • slack dried hops

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To slacken.
  • * Robert South
  • In this business of growing rich, poor men should slack their pace.
  • (obsolete) To mitigate; to reduce the strength of.
  • * 1590 , (Edmund Spenser), The Faerie Queene , III.7:
  • Ne did she let dull sleepe once to relent, / Nor wearinesse to slack her hast, but fled / Ever alike [...].
  • to procrastinate; to be lazy
  • to refuse to exert effort
  • To lose cohesion or solidity by a chemical combination with water; to slake.
  • Lime slacks .

    Derived terms

    * skive off

    Anagrams

    * *