rap

[ rap ]

/ ræp /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR rap ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), rapped, rap·ping.

to strike, especially with a quick, smart, or light blow: He rapped the door with his cane.

to utter sharply or vigorously: to rap out a command.

(of a spirit summoned by a medium) to communicate (a message) by raps (often followed by out).

Slang. to criticize sharply: Critics could hardly wait to rap the play.

Slang. to arrest, detain, or sentence for a crime.

Metallurgy. to jar (a pattern) loose from a sand mold.

verb (used without object), rapped, rap·ping.

to knock smartly or lightly, especially so as to make a noise: to rap on a door.

Slang. to talk or discuss, especially freely, openly, or volubly; chat.

Slang. to talk rhythmically to the beat of rap music.

noun

a quick, smart, or light blow: a rap on the knuckles with a ruler.

the sound produced by such a blow: They heard a loud rap at the door.

Slang. blame or punishment, especially for a crime.

Slang. a criminal charge: a murder rap.

Slang. response, reception, or judgment: The product has been getting a very bad rap.

Slang.

a talk, conversation, or discussion; chat.
talk designed to impress, convince, etc.; spiel: a high-pressure sales rap.

rap music.

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?

Question 1 of 10

earnest

full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.

a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.

urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms for rap

beat the rap, Slang. to succeed in evading the penalty for a crime; be acquitted: The defendant calmly insisted that he would beat the rap.

take the rap, Slang. to take the blame and punishment for a crime committed by another: He took the rap for the burglary.

Origin of rap

1300–50; 1960–65 for def 8; Middle English rappen (v.), rap(p)e (noun); akin to Swedish rappa to beat, drub, German rappeln to rattle; senses “to talk,” “conversation, talk” perhaps of distinct orig., though the hypothesis that it is a shortening of repartee is questionable

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rap

rap wraprapped rapt wrapped

Words nearby rap

ranvier, ranvier's node, raob, raoc, raoult's law, rap, rap full, rap group, rap jumping, rap music, rap session

Definition for rap (2 of 3)

rap²

[ rap ]

/ ræp /

noun

the least bit: I don't care a rap.

a counterfeit halfpenny formerly passed in Ireland.

Origin of rap

First recorded in 1715–25; origin uncertain

Definition for rap (3 of 3)

rap³

[ rap ]

/ ræp /

verb (used with object), rapped or rapt, rap·ping. Archaic.

to carry off; transport.

to transport with rapture.

to seize for oneself; snatch.

Origin of rap

First recorded in 1520–30; back formation from rapt

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for rap

And there are those who still have misgivings about exactly what “Christian rap” means.
Down With the King: Christianity Isn’t Hiding in Rap’s Closet|Stereo Williams|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They joined forces to form the rap supergroup Run the Jewels.
The 10 Best Albums of 2014: Taylor Swift, Sia, Run the Jewels, and More|Marlow Stern|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If Kendrick Lamar is the future of rap, then the future is bright.
Kendrick Lamar Shuts Down ‘The Colbert Report’ with Untitled Track|Charlise Ferguson|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This cd be the kind of thing where somebody has to resign [and] take the rap.
How the Reagan White House Bungled Its Response to Iran-Contra Revelations|Malcolm Byrne|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Is the art of the Nicki Minaj-style rap something you knew ahead of time that you were a baller at?
How Aidy Bryant Stealthily Became Your Favorite ‘Saturday Night Live’ Star|Kevin Fallon|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"Let us give her a rap over the knuckles, and disgust her with the business," said the brothers Cointet.
Eve and David|Honore de Balzac
In response to his rap upon the panel, a voice which he recognized as that of the Sepoy cried: “Come in!”
The Flaw in the Sapphire|Charles M. Snyder
Just as Ursula was sweeping Will upstairs before her, a rap came on the door.
The King's Daughters|Emily Sarah Holt
"Please make yourself at home—no need to rap," answered Mrs. Tynan.
You Never Know Your Luck, Complete|Gilbert Parker
A rap at the door, and the servant announced that dinner was come.
Madeline Payne, the Detective's Daughter|Lawrence L. Lynch

British Dictionary definitions for rap (1 of 3)

rap¹

/ (ræp) /

verb raps, rapping or rapped

to strike (a fist, stick, etc) against (something) with a sharp quick blow; knockhe rapped at the door

(intr) to make a sharp loud sound, esp by knocking

(tr) to rebuke or criticize sharply

(tr foll by out) to put (forth) in sharp rapid speech; utter in an abrupt fashionto rap out orders

(intr) slang to talk, esp volubly

(intr) to perform a rhythmic monologue with a musical backing

rap over the knuckles to reprimand

noun

a sharp quick blow or the sound produced by such a blow

a sharp rebuke or criticism

slang voluble talk; chatterstop your rap

a fast, rhythmic monologue over a prerecorded instrumental track
(as modifier)rap music

slang a legal charge or case

beat the rap US and Canadian slang to escape punishment or be acquitted of a crime

take the rap slang to suffer the consequences of a mistake, misdeed, or crime, whether guilty or not

Derived forms of rap

rapping, noun

Word Origin for rap

C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish rappa to beat

British Dictionary definitions for rap (2 of 3)

rap²

/ (ræp) /

noun

(used with a negative) the least amount (esp in the phrase not to care a rap)

Word Origin for rap

C18: probably from ropaire counterfeit coin formerly current in Ireland

British Dictionary definitions for rap (3 of 3)

rap³

/ (ræp) /

verb, noun

Australian informal a variant spelling of wrap (def. 8), wrap (def. 14)

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

Cultural definitions for rap

rap

A form of pop music characterized by spoken or chanted rhymed lyrics, with a syncopated, repetitive accompaniment. Rap music originated in the second half of the twentieth century in black urban communities. (See also hip-hop.)

Idioms and Phrases with rap

rap

In addition to the idiom beginning with rap

rap someone's knuckles

also see:

beat the rap
bum rap
not give a damn (rap)
take the rap

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

rap

verb (used with object), rapped, rap·ping.

verb (used without object), rapped, rap·ping.

noun