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

FOR LEXICAL ALIMENTATION, TAKE THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Nourish your vocabulary with a refresher on the words from the week of September 14–20, 2020!

Question 1 of 7

What does “blatherskite” mean?

a person given to voluble, empty talk.

an ancient Greek or Roman farce that depended for effect largely upon ludicrous actions and gestures.

a check whose amount has been raised by forgery before cashing.

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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

First recorded in 1300–50; 1960–65 for def. 8; Middle English verb rappen; akin to Swedish rappa “to beat, drub,” German rappeln “to rattle”; the senses “to talk,” and “conversation, talk” are perhaps of distinct origin, though the hypothesis that it is a shortening of repartee is questionable

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rap

1. rap , wrap2. rapped , rapt, wrapped

Words nearby rap

Ranvier, Ranvier's node, raob, RAOC, Raoult's law, rap, rapacious, Rapacki, Rapacki Plan, Rapallo, Rapamune

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

Sofa beds tend to get a bad rap for uncomfortable designs and stiff mattresses.
Comfortable sofa beds for a peaceful night’s sleep|PopSci Commerce Team|September 11, 2020|Popular Science
In the season if celebrating women in rap, more than ever, the rap games largest stars includes a pretty stacked up line up of women.
Atlanta Rapper Pap Chanel Is Here To Stay|Nandi Howard|September 4, 2020|Essence.com
Today, the rapper released her project, “Pretty & Paid” and joins a group of major launches this quarter from female rap.
Atlanta Rapper Pap Chanel Is Here To Stay|Nandi Howard|September 4, 2020|Essence.com
People can film multiple takes of themselves rapping to songs and then use the app’s artificial intelligence to automatically pull the best of those clips to make professionally-looking music videos.
WTF is Triller?|Seb Joseph|August 14, 2020|Digiday

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

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WORD OF THE DAY

rap

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

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

noun