Definition of 'rap'
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]
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.
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]
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
11.
12.
See take the rap
13.
See beat the rap
Phrasal verbs:
See rap out
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Video: pronunciation of
rap
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
Word Frequency
rap in British English 1
verbWord forms: raps, rapping, rapped
1.
he rapped at the door
4. (transitive; foll by out)
to rap out orders
5. (intransitive) slang
to talk, esp volubly
7. See rap over the knuckles
noun
8.
a sharp quick blow or the sound produced by such a blow
9.
a sharp rebuke or criticism
12. slang
a legal charge or case
13. See beat the rap
14. See take the rap
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
rapping (ˈrapping) noun
Word origin
C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish rappa to beat
Word Frequency
rap in British English 3
verb, nounWord forms: raps, rapping, rapped
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency
rap in American English 1
verb transitiveWord forms: rapped or ˈrapping
1.
to strike quickly and sharply; tap
2. US, Slang
to criticize sharply
verb intransitive
3.
to knock quickly and sharply
4. US
to perform rap or a rap
noun
7.
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 punishment9. US, Slang
a talking; chat
11. US
a.
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 musicb.
a rap song or recording
Idioms:
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin
ME rappen, prob. of echoic orig.
Word Frequency
rap in American English 2
noun
1.
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
rap in American English 1
(ræp) (verb rapped, rapping)
transitive verb
2.
to utter sharply or vigorously
to rap out a command
4. slang
to criticize sharply
Critics could hardly wait to rap the play
intransitive verb
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
16. See rap music
17. See beat the rap
18. See take the rap
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
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
1.
the least bit
I don't care a rap
2.
a counterfeit halfpenny formerly passed in Ireland
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[1715–25; orig. uncert.]Word Frequency
rap in American English 3
(ræp)
transitive verbWord forms: rapped or rapt, rapping archaic
1.
to carry off; transport
2.
to transport with rapture
3.
to seize for oneself; snatch
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[1520–30; back formation from rapt]Examples of 'rap' in a sentence
rap
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rap
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In other languages
rap
British English: rap
NOUN /ræp/
Rap is a type of music in which the words are not sung but are spoken in a rapid, rhythmic way.
He performs with a rap group.
British English: rap
VERB /ræp/
hit If you rap on something or rap it, you hit it with a series of quick blows.
She turned and rapped on his door.
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rap
Source
Definition of rap from the Collins English Dictionary
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