Definition of 'rap'

Word Frequency

rap

(ræp )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense raps , present participle rapping , past tense, past participle rapped

1. uncountable noun [oft NOUN noun]

Rap is a type of music in which the words are not sung but are spoken in a rapid, rhythmic way.

For some people, rap–the music of the hip-hop generation–is just so much noise.

...a rap group.

2. verb

Someone who raps performs rap music.

...the unexpected pleasure of hearing the band not only rap but even sing. [VERB]

3. countable noun

A rap is a piece of music performed in rap style, or the words that are used in it.

Every member contributes to the rap, singing either solo or as part of a rap chorus.

4. verb

If you rap on something or rap it, you hit it with a series of quick blows.

Mary Ann turned and rapped on Simon's door. [VERB + on]

...rapping the glass with the knuckles of his right hand. [VERB noun]

A guard raps his stick on a metal hand rail. [VERB noun + on]

Synonyms: hit, strike, knock, crack [informal] More Synonyms of rap

Rap is also a noun.

There was a sharp rap on the door. [+ on]

5. countable noun

A rap is a statement in a court of law that someone has committed a particular crime, or the punishment for committing it.

[US, informal]

You'll be facing a rap for aiding and abetting an escaped convict.

Synonyms: rebuke, sentence, blame, responsibility More Synonyms of rap

6. countable noun [usually singular]

A rap is an act of criticizing or blaming someone.

[journalism]

FA chiefs could still face a rap and a possible fine.

Timeshare companies also come in for a rap as they continue to flout the rules.

7. verb

If you rap someone for something, you criticize or blame them for it.

[journalism]

Water industry chiefs were rapped yesterday for failing their customers. [be V-ed + for/over]

The minister rapped banks over their treatment of small businesses. [V n for/over n]

Synonyms: reprimand, knock [informal], blast, pan [informal] More Synonyms of rap

8. singular noun

The rap about someone or something is their reputation, often a bad reputation which they do not deserve.

[US, informal]

The rap against Conn was that he was far too reckless.

The rap on this guy is that he doesn't really care. [+ on]

He said statisticians gave them a bad rap by 'lying with figures'.

Synonyms: talk More Synonyms of rap

9. verb

If you rap with someone about something, you talk about it in a relaxed or informal way.

[US, informal]

Today we are going to rap about relationships. [V about n]

[Also V with n]

Synonyms: talk, chat, discourse, converse More Synonyms of rap

10.

See rap sb's knuckles, rap sb on/over the knuckles

11.

See a rap on the knuckles

12.

See take the rap

13.

See beat the rap

Phrasal verbs:

See rap out

More Synonyms of rap

Video: pronunciation of
rap

rap in British English 1

(ræp )

verbWord forms: raps, rapping or rapped

to strike (a fist, stick, etc) against (something) with a sharp quick blow; knock

he rapped at the door

2. (intransitive)

to make a sharp loud sound, esp by knocking

3. (transitive)

to rebuke or criticize sharply

4. (transitive; foll by out)

to put ( forth) in sharp rapid speech; utter in an abrupt fashion

to rap out orders

5. (intransitive) slang

to talk, esp volubly

6. (intransitive)

to perform a rhythmic monologue with a musical backing

7. See rap over the knuckles

noun

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

a sharp rebuke or criticism

10. slang

voluble talk; chatter

stop your rap

11.

a fast, rhythmic monologue over a prerecorded instrumental track

(as modifier)

rap music

12. slang

a legal charge or case

13. See beat the rap

14. See take the rap

Derived forms

rapping (ˈrapping)

noun

Word origin

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

Word Frequency

rap in British English 2

(ræp )

noun

(used with a negative)

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

Word origin

C18: probably from ropaire counterfeit coin formerly current in Ireland

Word Frequency

rap in British English 3

(ræp )

verb, nounWord forms: raps, rapping or rapped

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

Word Frequency

rap in American English 1

(ræp )

verb transitiveWord forms: rapped or ˈrapping

to strike quickly and sharply; tap

2. US, Slang

to criticize sharply

verb intransitive

to knock quickly and sharply

4. US

to perform rap or a rap

5. US, Slang

to talk; chat

6. US, Slang

to talk seriously and frankly with another or others, often in an informal setting

noun

a quick, sharp knock; tap

8. US, Slang

blame or punishment, as a prison sentence

usually in beat (or take) the rap, escape (or receive) the blame or punishment, or bum rap, unfair blame or punishment

9. US, Slang

a talking; chat

10. US, Slang

a serious, frank talk

11. US

a kind of popular music in which rhymed verses are chanted or declaimed to the accompaniment of forceful and repetitive rhythms, played usually on drums or synthesizers

: also rap music

a rap song or recording

Idioms:

rap on the knuckles

rap out

Word origin

ME rappen, prob. of echoic orig.

Word Frequency

rap in American English 2

(ræp )

noun

in the early 18th cent., a counterfeit halfpenny in circulation in Ireland

2. Informal

the least bit

now usually in not care (or give) a rap, not care anything at all

Word Frequency

rap in American English 3

(ræp )

verb transitiveWord forms: rapped or rapt, ˈrapping Rare

to seize

to transport with rapture

now only in the pp.

Word origin

back-form. < rapt

Word Frequency

rap in American English 1

(ræp) (verb rapped, rapping)

transitive verb

to strike, esp. with a quick, smart, or light blow

He rapped the door with his cane

to utter sharply or vigorously

to rap out a command

3. (of a spirit summoned by a medium) (often fol. by out)

to communicate (a message) by raps

4. slang

to criticize sharply

Critics could hardly wait to rap the play

5. slang

to arrest, detain, or sentence for a crime

6. Metallurgy

to jar (a pattern) loose from a sand mold

intransitive verb

to knock smartly or lightly, esp. so as to make a noise

to rap on a door

8. slang

to talk or discuss, esp. freely, openly, or volubly; chat

9. slang

to talk rhythmically to the beat of rap music

noun

10.

a quick, smart, or light blow

a rap on the knuckles with a ruler

11.

the sound produced by such a blow

They heard a loud rap at the door

12. slang

blame or punishment, esp. for a crime

13. slang

a criminal charge

a murder rap

14. slang

response, reception, or judgment

The product has been getting a very bad rap

15. slang

a talk, conversation, or discussion; chat

talk designed to impress, convince, etc.; spiel

a high-pressure sales rap

16. See rap music

17. See beat the rap

18. See take the rap

Word origin

[1300–50; 1960–65 for def. 8; ME rappen (v.), rap(p)e (n.); akin to Sw rappa to beat, drub, G rappeln to rattle; senses “to talk,” “conversation, talk” perh. of distinct orig., though the hypothesis that it is a shortening of repartee is questionable]

Word Frequency

rap in American English 2

(ræp)

noun

the least bit

I don't care a rap

a counterfeit halfpenny formerly passed in Ireland

Word origin

[1715–25; orig. uncert.]

Word Frequency

rap in American English 3

(ræp)

transitive verbWord forms: rapped or rapt, rapping archaic

to carry off; transport

to transport with rapture

to seize for oneself; snatch

Word origin

[1520–30; back formation from rapt]

Examples of 'rap' in a sentence
rap

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

He has also turned to rapping.I think he wanted her to watch him do the murder so she would have to take the rap as well.I've shown my potential not only as a rap artist but also as a writer.A source said:'It is outrageous the chiefs get away with it as those lower down the ranks take the rap.They understand concepts better by rapping about them.Over the last few years certain rap groups made headline news with their recordings.So why do pushy mums get a bad rap?We were disturbed by a harsh rap on the door.What is it about your rap style that makes you stand out from the rest?He faces a burglary rap next week.