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Synonyms

tapping

1 American  
[tap-ing] / ˈtæp ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act of a person or thing that taps or strikes lightly.

  2. the sound produced by this.

tapping 2 American  
[tap-ing] / ˈtæp ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act of tapping casks, telephone conversations, etc.

  2. something that is drawn by tapping.

  3. paracentesis.

Etymology

Origin of tapping1

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at tap 1, -ing 1

Origin of tapping2

First recorded in 1590–1600; tap 2 + -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And the firm isn’t just tapping the institutional market for its capital.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

The tie was shortlived, however, with Barbashev tapping in a pass from Pavel Dorofeyev for the go-ahead goal.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

Cassie, though, could be Maddy’s second shot at tapping into this Gold Rush.

From Salon • May 4, 2026

There’s early evidence that people tapping the deduction walked away with especially larger refunds this tax season.

From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026

“I know,” Autumn signs by tapping the top of her forehead twice.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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