rap

[ rap ]

/ ræp /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: rap / rapped / rapping / rapt 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.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about 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 these meanings are a shortening of repartee is questionable

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rap

1. rap , wrap2. rapped , rapt, wrapped

Words nearby rap

ranunculaceous, ranunculus, raob, RAOC, Raoult's law, rap, rapacious, rapacity, Rapacki, Rapacki Plan, Rapallo

Other definitions for rap (2 of 3)

rap²

[ rap ]

/ ræp /

noun

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

a counterfeit halfpenny formerly passed in Ireland.

Origin of rap

First recorded in 1715–25; origin uncertain

Other definitions 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. 2023

How to use rap in a sentence

A marriage of the popular sound in rap with the romance Shakka himself wrote, this song is just in time for Valentine’s Day, and should be a proper introduction to this future king of the genre.
Soulection’s Joe Kay Presents ‘A Beginner’s Guide To Future Sounds’|Brande Victorian|February 5, 2021|Essence.com
In later video trailers, the animated characters are seen singing, rapping and dancing alongside the real-life beings.
6 Rookie K-Pop Groups to Watch in 2021|Kat Moon|January 22, 2021|Time
Salt-N-Pepa, one of the top-selling music groups of all time and the first female rap group to go Platinum, helped define a generation.
Actresses GG Townson And Laila Odom On What It Took To Become Salt-N-Pepa|Brande Victorian|January 22, 2021|Essence.com
An architect of the West Coast rap scene, his 1992 debut solo album, “The Chronic,” is considered one of the most important and influential albums of the era.
Dr. Dre says he’s ‘doing great’ at the hospital after suffering a reported brain aneurysm|Timothy Bella|January 6, 2021|Washington Post

In recent years, the rap community has experienced this firsthand.
After the untimely deaths of young rappers, fans are determined to continue their legacy|Ilana Kaplan|December 4, 2020|Washington Post
Pitchfork called him a “a rap-obsessed misfit from a summer camp who freestyles poorly” who is “ridiculous without knowing it.”
The Cult of Yung Lean: ‘I’m Building An Anarchistic Society From the Ground Up’|Marlow Stern|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Poor Steve Scalise is getting a bad rap,” Knight, a long-time aide to former KKK leader David Duke, told The Daily Beast.
GOP Boss Gets Help From ‘White Hate’ Pal|Tim Mak|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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
The Communist Party of China gets a bad rap for cracking down on religion.
The Buddhist Business of Poaching Animals for Good Karma|Brendon Hong|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
He was in the midst of his reflections when there came a rap at his door, which the next moment was flung open.
Confidence|Henry James
"All they can rap and run for" is the more frequent colloquial version of this quaint phrase.
Notes and Queries, Number 177, March 19, 1853|Various
He gave to every syllable the value of a rap and certain words he terminated with an audible snap of his teeth.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
Another rap, louder and more importunate, echoed through the large room.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie
Old Adam wanted two thousand dollars, they say, if he could only get them; but he could not, not a rap.
Skipper Worse|Alexander Lange Kielland

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.)

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

rap

Idioms about rap

Origin of rap

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rap

Words nearby rap

Other definitions for rap (2 of 3)

Origin of rap

Other definitions for rap (3 of 3)

Origin of rap

Words related to rap

How to use rap in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rap (1 of 3)

Derived forms of rap

Word Origin for rap

British Dictionary definitions for rap (2 of 3)

Word Origin for rap

British Dictionary definitions for rap (3 of 3)

Cultural definitions for rap

Other Idioms and Phrases with rap