rap Hear it!

rap¹ Definition

rap (rap)

transitive verb rapped, rap·ping

  1. to strike quickly and sharply; tap
  2. Slang to criticize sharply

Etymology: ME rappen, prob. of echoic orig.

intransitive verb

  1. to knock quickly and sharply
  2. ☆ to perform rap or a rap
  3. Slang to talk; chat
  4. Slang to talk seriously and frankly with another or others, often in an informal setting

noun

  1. a quick, sharp knock; tap
  2. 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
  3. Slang a talking; chat
  4. Slang a serious, frank talk
    1. 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
    2. a rap song or recording

rap¹ Idioms

rap on the knuckles

a mild reprimand or light sentence

rap out

to say or utter sharply to rap out an order

rap² Definition

rap (rap)

noun

  1. 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

Etymology: < ?

rap³ Definition

rap (rap)

transitive verb rapped or rapt, rap·ping

  1. to seize
  2. to transport with rapture: now only in the pp.

Etymology: back-form. < rapt

rap Synonyms

rap

n.

knock, thump, slap; see blow 1.

beat the rap*

avoid punishment, evade, be acquitted; see escape.

bum rap*

unfair sentence, blame, frame*; see injustice 2, punishment.

take the rap*

be punished, suffer, take the blame; see pay for.

rap Synonyms

rap

v.

  1. To tap sharply

    knock, strike, whack; see beat 1, 2, hit 1.

  2. *To talk

    chat, discuss freely, speak, converse; see discuss, talk 1.

rap Usage Examples

Object

  • knuckle: I half-expected to have my knuckles rapped by the Moderator for advertising.
  • robot: Invite Cycler, the rapping recycled robot to your school.

Preposition: on

  • knuckle: For all signs a financial rap on the knuckles is possible.
  • door: A new decade was rapping on the door with an icy fist.

Preposition: at

door: He rapped at the door with the handle of the pistol.

Preposition: over

knuckle: I can confirm that the Chief Executive of the MHS has been asked to give his staff a rap over the knuckles.

Converse of object

  • perform: He's taken to performing raps in the style of Norman Wisdom.
  • take: Will takes the rap Will the creator of modern music please stand up?

Adjective modifier

  • bum: I hate for them to get a bum rap like this.
  • sharp: At shoulder height on the door was set a brass knocker which Andrews operated with short, sharp raps.
  • bad: This has tended to give the whole IRC system a bit of a bad rap.

Modifies a noun

  • superstar: On the 18th March 2002 R. Kelly teamed up with rap superstar Jay-Z to make a milestone album The Best Of Both Worlds.
  • mogul: Jay Z has made the seamless transition from hip hop and rap mogul to fashion without losing any of his credibility.
  • lyric: Rap lyrics offer a variety of learning opportunities for a wide range of skills.
  • star: Short cuts 1 Dwain is a fan of rap star 50 Cent.
  • duo: Both Kelis and rap duo Clipse are expected to stay with Arista or one of its sister labels.
  • music: AOL Music: Rap Music, Hip Hop Music, Videos, Artists, Beats, Songs.. .

Noun used with modifier

  • gangsta: David Blunkett has made comments linking " appalling " gangsta rap lyrics with gun crime.
  • gangster: Then after the tape has been stolen Jenna gives us some hardcore gangster rap, at which point we vacate the lab.

Browse dictionary entries near rap

  1. ranunculus
  2. ranula
  3. ranting
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  5. ransom
  6. ransack
  7. ranks
  8. rankling
  9. rankle
  10. ranking
  1. rap sheet
  2. Rapa Nui
  3. rapacious
  4. rapacity
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  6. rape oil
  7. raped
  8. rapeseed
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  10. raphe