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Synonyms

hep

1 American  
[hep] / hɛp /

adjective

Older Slang.
  1. hip.


hep 2 American  
[huht, huhp, hep] / hʌt, hʌp, hɛp /

interjection

  1. one (used in counting cadence while marching).


hep 1 British  
/ hɛp /

adjective

  1. slang an earlier word for hip 4

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

hep 2 British  
/ hɛp /

noun

  1. short for hepatitis

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of hep

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05; of uncertain origin; cf. hip 4 ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“All of our best studies and decades of experience point to continuing to vaccinate all newborns to protect them against hep B.”

From Salon Dec. 12, 2025

Between 1970 and the early 1990s, more than 30,000 NHS patients were given blood transfusions, or treatments made using blood products, which were contaminated with hep C or HIV.

From BBC Oct. 6, 2025

Whatever its exact journey, the suit spread like wildfire among hep cats who were into jitterbug and swing.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 13, 2023

“If you don’t have hep, you’re the police,” another added.

From Washington Post Nov. 3, 2019

“Yes’m, but it sure would hep if she could milk the cow and bring in stovewood.”

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns

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