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Glite Dictionary
playful whap

playful whap

5.7
A light quick hit with a hand or pillow given in a friendly way
  • noun
  • Informal
translation icon : golpecito juguetón
  • The kitten gave my hand a playful whap before running away.

Examples

  • She laughed when her friend greeted her with a playful whap on the arm.

  • She gave him a playful whap on the back.

  • You could hear the playful whap of pillows during the sleepover.

  • The dog received a playful whap from the child.

  • She laughed when her friend greeted her with a playful whap on the arm.

  • The kitten gave my hand a playful whap before running away.

  • You could hear the playful whap of pillows during the sleepover.

Synonyms

tap
vsplayful whap
66 1.0

A light touch or sound from a gentle hit

is quicker and playful rather than only a gentle touch
smackeroo
vsplayful whap
  • Informal
9.9

A quick light slap given in play

is a lighter playful hit rather than a sharp blow
quick smacker
vsplayful whap
  • Slang
7.4

A short kiss or quick light slap given suddenly

is a playful light tap rather than a kiss or stronger slap
quick whap
vsplayful whap
  • Informal
8.8

A quick, sharp hit that makes a short sound

is lighter and done playfully rather than a sudden sharp strike
playful pinch
vsplayful whap
  • Informal
3.1

A light squeeze on someone's skin to tease or show affection

is a light playful hit rather than a brief squeeze

Antonyms

blow
271 2.0

A strong hit from a fist or weapon

How Hard

wallop
  • Informal
3 6.7
to smack
164 3.5
slap
110 1.0
playful whap
  • Informal
5.7
pat
∞ 1.0
tap
66 1.0

Surface Forms

playful whap singular
playful whaps plural

Morphology

playful + whap

The meaning 'a light, quick hit or tap done in a playful manner' is directly and compositionally derived from 'playful' (lighthearted) modifying 'whap' (a hit). The adjective+noun structure makes the manner of the hit explicit, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Playful whap comes from a simple picture: whap is the quick sound of a small hit and playful shows it is friendly and fun. That's why it means 'a light, quick hit done in a playful way'.