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• ragtime
  ragtime

  noun

  rhythm in which the accompaniment is strict two-four time and the melody, with improvised embellishments, is in steady syncopation.
• Ragtime
  Ragtime

  noun

  a novel (1975) by E. L. Doctorow.

ragtime

¹ American  

[rag-tahym] / ˈrægˌtaɪm /

noun

Music.

1. rhythm in which the accompaniment is strict two-four time and the melody, with improvised embellishments, is in steady syncopation.

2. a style of American music having this rhythm, popular from about 1890 to 1915.

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Ragtime ² American  

[rag-tahym] / ˈrægˌtaɪm /

noun

1. a novel (1975) by E. L. Doctorow.

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ragtime British  

/ ˈræɡˌtaɪm /

noun

1. a style of jazz piano music, developed by Scott Joplin around 1900, having a two-four rhythm base and a syncopated melody

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ragtime Cultural  

1. A style of early jazz music written largely for the piano in the early twentieth century, characterized by jaunty rhythms and a whimsical mood.

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Discover More

Scott Joplin was a famous composer and performer of ragtime.

Other Word Forms

• ragtimey
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of ragtime

1895–1900; probably rag(ged) + time

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Explanation

Ragtime is a genre of music that was very popular in the early 20th century. The bouncing, energetic rhythms of ragtime were ideal dance music. Ragtime is credited with being the first African-American musical form; jazz, which was strongly influenced by ragtime, followed soon afterward. While distinctions between the two genres vary, ragtime is generally described as piano-based and in duple meter, with two main beats per measure. The syncopated ragtime sound became enormously popular after the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Today, Scott Joplin is probably the most well-known ragtime composer. Ragtime comes from the American dialect word rag, "dance ball."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ragtime Ragtime

Its influence sweeps through “classical music, ragtime, tango, jazz, rhythm and blues, country, rock and roll, funk and hip hop.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

Landing on Netflix’s title page for “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” automatically plays a clip of the titular psychopath wearing a dress, wig and hosiery while nimbly dancing to a merry ragtime tune.

From Salon ● Oct. 29, 2025

Newly christened, she became known for scat singing, a vocal style that originated with ragtime - which enabled her to improvise melodies using her voice as an instrument.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2025

The “tunes” Andres makes use of in his concerto come from American folk songs, parlor songs, blues and ragtime, and they go through colorful repetitive transformations, embellished by Diehl’s improvisations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 4, 2024

If you want practice hearing syncopations, listen to some ragtime or jazz.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Other big winners included Ragtime, about three families pursuing the American dream at the dawn of the 20th Century, and Schmigadoon!, a comedic celebration of theatre's golden age, adapted from the Apple TV series.

From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2026

"Ragtime," which explores the social and economic upheavals affecting non-white people in early 20th century America, received four awards, including Best Revival of a Musical.

From Barron's ● Jun. 8, 2026

‘Nosferatu’ with Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra Elsewhere, Murnau’s classic screens with the orchestra performing the film’s original score live to picture.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 18, 2022

That much is sort of true: Michele was homeschooled while in "Ragtime" and later turned down a spot at New York University to continue working.

From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2022

He can play Alexander’s Ragtime Band without notes.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

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