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noun Uncommon

tapping

Tapping (noun) means the act of striking something lightly and repeatedly. Example: “The tapping of her pen against the desk grew increasingly annoying.”

noun
1
The act of striking something lightly and repeatedly.
"The tapping of her pen against the desk grew increasingly annoying."
2
A guitar technique where strings are struck against the fretboard rather than plucked.
"The guitarist showed off with a rapid tapping solo."

How to Use Tapping

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLight, repeated striking — whether of fingers on a surface or a guitar technique.

Common pairings
finger tapping guitar tapping

Word Forms

tappings plural

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The _____ of her pen against the desk grew increasingly annoying.

Related Words

Rhymes for tapping

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “tapping” mean?

The word “tapping” means the act of striking something lightly and repeatedly. In plain terms, light, repeated striking — whether of fingers on a surface or a guitar technique.

How do you use “tapping” in a sentence?

Here is “tapping” used in a sentence: “The tapping of her pen against the desk grew increasingly annoying.”

What part of speech is “tapping”?

“Tapping” is a noun.

Is “tapping” a common word?

“Tapping” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “tapping” have?

“Tapping” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of striking something lightly and repeatedly.

What is the difference between tapping and tap dancing?

Tapping generally means striking something lightly and repeatedly, while tap dancing is a specific performance style where the feet create rhythmic tapping sounds. Tap dancing is one specialized application of the broader tapping action.

What is tapping in guitar playing?

Tapping is a guitar technique where the player strikes the strings against the fretboard with the fingers instead of plucking them, producing notes directly from the impact. It is commonly used to play fast, fluid passages, especially in rock and metal styles.

Is tapping always a musical or rhythmic action?

No, tapping most broadly just means striking something lightly and repeatedly, such as tapping a pen on a desk or tapping a foot. The musical and guitar-specific senses are more specialized uses of this general action.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial