RAP Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com (original) (raw)

verb (used with object)

rapped, rapping

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

He rapped the door with his cane.
to utter sharply or vigorously.

to rap out a command.
(of a spirit summoned by a medium) to communicate (a message) by raps (often followed by_out_ ).
Slang. to criticize sharply.

Critics could hardly wait to rap the play.
Slang. to arrest, detain, or sentence for a crime.
Metallurgy. to jar (a pattern) loose from a sand mold.

verb (used without object)

rapped, rapping

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

to rap on a door.
Slang. to talk or discuss, especially freely, openly, or volubly; chat.
Slang. to talk rhythmically to the beat of rap music.

noun

a quick, smart, or light blow.

a rap on the knuckles with a ruler.
the sound produced by such a blow.

They heard a loud rap at the door.
Slang. blame or punishment, especially for a crime.
Slang. a criminal charge.

a murder rap.
Slang. response, reception, or judgment.

The product has been getting a very bad rap.
Slang.
1. a talk, conversation, or discussion; chat.
2. talk designed to impress, convince, etc.; spiel.
  
  a high-pressure sales rap.
rap music.

idioms

take the rap, to take the blame and punishment for a crime committed by another.

He took the rap for the burglary.
beat the rap, to succeed in evading the penalty for a crime; be acquitted.

The defendant calmly insisted that he would beat the rap.

rap 2 American

[rap] / ræp /

noun

the least bit; the smallest amount; jot; iota.

I don't care a rap.
a counterfeit halfpenny formerly passed in Ireland.

rap 3 American

[rap] / ræp /

verb (used with object)

Archaic.

rapped, rapt, rapping

to carry off; transport.
to transport with rapture.
to seize for oneself; snatch.

verb

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

he rapped at the door
(intr) to make a sharp loud sound, esp by knocking
(tr) to rebuke or criticize sharply
to put (forth) in sharp rapid speech; utter in an abrupt fashion

to rap out orders
slang (intr) to talk, esp volubly
(intr) to perform a rhythmic monologue with a musical backing
to reprimand

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

a sharp quick blow or the sound produced by such a blow
a sharp rebuke or criticism
slang voluble talk; chatter

stop your rap
1. a fast, rhythmic monologue over a prerecorded instrumental track
2. ( as modifier )
  
  rap music
slang a legal charge or case
slang to escape punishment or be acquitted of a crime
slang to suffer the consequences of a mistake, misdeed, or crime, whether guilty or not

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

informal a variant spelling of wrap wrap

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

A form of pop music characterized by spoken or chanted rhymed lyrics, with a syncopated, repetitive accompaniment. Rap music originated in the second half of the twentieth century in black urban communities. (See also hip-hop.)

More idioms and phrases containing rap

beat the rap
bum rap
not give a damn (rap)
take the rap

Other Word Forms

rapping noun

Etymology

Origin of rap1

First recorded in 1300–50; 1960–65 rap 1 for def. 8; Middle English verb rappen; akin to Swedish rappa “to beat, drub,” German rappeln “to rattle”; the senses “to talk” and “conversation, talk” are perhaps of distinct origin, though the hypothesis that these meanings are a shortening of repartee is questionable

Origin of rap2

First recorded in 1715–25; origin uncertain

Origin of rap3

First recorded in 1520–30; back formation from rapt

Explanation

To rap is to hit something, talk, or bust into rhymes like the Fat Boys in the rap song “Human Beat Box” (1984). That’s some old school Brooklyn rap, but you can rap to any beat you want. Hit it! A rap is a knock or blow, like if you rap somebody upside the head as a gentle reminder to pay attention. The word rap also means, "reputation,” like if you get a bad rap at school for sleeping in class. It’s also "to talk at great length." And there’s the musical rap, the “genre that includes talking rhythmically over a beat.” This meaning comes from African American slang for, basically, "talking.”

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing rap

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.

I can see that song finding its legs on rap radio along with — hey, whaddya know?

FromLos Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

"So many companies are getting a massively bad rap for being these techno overlords. What better way to cut through than to create a cute and cuddly, anthropomorphic mascot?"

FromBBC • May 13, 2026

Perez argued that the scarcity of recent rap breakouts is less about the genre’s lack of imagination and more about migrating tastes.

FromThe Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

The globe-spanning scandal also ensnared Pras Michel, a rapper in rap trio the Fugees, who was found guilty of helping Low funnel money from 1MDB into US politics.

FromBarron's • May 13, 2026

There’s a rap on the little back window of the cab.

From"Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

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