rap — to hit something quickly and sharply
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to hit something quickly and sharply
Pronunciation (IPA): /ræp/
Example Sentences
- The teacher rapped her pen on the desk to get attention.
- My dad thinks he can rap, but he sounds like a robot having hiccups.
- The ghost rapped on the walls all night long.
rap
VERB[/ræp/]
to hit something quickly and sharply
Rapping quickly on the door
The detective in his cap raps and taps to unlock the trap!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word originates from Middle English in the 14th century, where it meant 'to strike' or 'to hit'. In the late 20th century, the term evolved to denote a music genre characterized by rhythmic spoken or chanted lyrics over beats.
Breakdown
The word derives from Middle English rappe (to strike), which forms the base of the modern English verb 'rap'. The musical genre sense developed metaphorically from the percussive striking sound associated with the music style.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The teacher rapped her pen on the desk to get attention.”
“My dad thinks he can rap, but he sounds like a robot having hiccups.”
“The ghost rapped on the walls all night long.”
“She got a bad rap for something she didn't even do.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.