rap

1
[ rap ]
See synonyms for: raprappedrappingrapt on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),rapped, rap·ping.
  1. to strike, especially with a quick, smart, or light blow: He rapped the door with his cane.

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

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

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

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

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

verb (used without object),rapped, rap·ping.
  1. to knock smartly or lightly, especially so as to make a noise: to rap on a door.

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

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

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

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

  1. Slang. blame or punishment, especially for a crime.

  2. Slang. a criminal charge: a murder rap.

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

  4. Slang.

    • a talk, conversation, or discussion; chat.

    • talk designed to impress, convince, etc.; spiel: a high-pressure sales rap.

Idioms about rap

  1. 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.

  2. 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

1
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 these meanings are a shortening of repartee is questionable

Words that may be confused with rap

Words Nearby rap

Other definitions for rap (2 of 3)

rap2
[ rap ]

noun
  1. the least bit; the smallest amount; jot; iota: I don't care a rap.

  2. a counterfeit halfpenny formerly passed in Ireland.

Origin of rap

2
First recorded in 1715–25; origin uncertain

Other definitions for rap (3 of 3)

rap3
[ rap ]

verb (used with object),rapped or rapt, rap·ping.Archaic.
  1. to carry off; transport.

  2. to transport with rapture.

  1. to seize for oneself; snatch.

Origin of rap

3
First recorded in 1520–30; back formation from rapt

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use rap in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rap (1 of 3)

rap1

/ (ræp) /


verbraps, rapping or rapped
  1. to strike (a fist, stick, etc) against (something) with a sharp quick blow; knock: he rapped at the door

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

  1. (tr) to rebuke or criticize sharply

  2. (tr foll by out) to put (forth) in sharp rapid speech; utter in an abrupt fashion: to rap out orders

  3. (intr) slang to talk, esp volubly

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

  5. rap over the knuckles to reprimand

noun
  1. a sharp quick blow or the sound produced by such a blow

  2. a sharp rebuke or criticism

  1. slang voluble talk; chatter: stop your rap

    • a fast, rhythmic monologue over a prerecorded instrumental track

    • (as modifier): rap music

  2. slang a legal charge or case

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

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

Origin of rap

1
C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish rappa to beat

Derived forms of rap

  • rapping, noun

British Dictionary definitions for rap (2 of 3)

rap2

/ (ræp) /


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

Origin of rap

2
C18: probably from ropaire counterfeit coin formerly current in Ireland

British Dictionary definitions for rap (3 of 3)

rap3

/ (ræp) /


verb, noun
  1. 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.)

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other 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

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.