rap

14 synonyms for rap, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A rhythmic style of music where lyrics are spoken quickly, usually over a beat.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

knock bang pat strike belt blame pink

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

rhyme tap whack

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

hip-hop rat-a-tat whang knap

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A rhythmic style of music where lyrics are spoken quickly, usually over a beat.

“Rap often relies on clever rhymes and a strong, steady rhythm.”

hip-hop rhyme knock tap bang rat-a-tat pat whack strike whang belt blame

2. verb

To perform in the style of rap music.

“She likes to rap in the shower, though she never lets anyone hear.”

knock tap pink knap

How to use rap

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

rap music take the rap a rap on the door rap artist

Etymology

From Middle English rap, rappe, of North Germanic origin, related to Norwegian rapp (“a blow, strike, lash”), Swedish rapp (“a blow, lash, crack”), Danish rap (“a tap, smart, blow”). Compare Old English hreppan (“to touch, treat”). More at rape.

Full origin of rap →

Frequently asked questions

What does “rap” mean?

The word “rap” means a rhythmic style of music where lyrics are spoken quickly, usually over a beat. In plain terms, a style of rhythmic spoken music, or a sharp knock; informally, to take blame for something.

How do you pronounce “rap”?

“Rap” is pronounced rap (/ɹæp/ in IPA).

How do you use “rap” in a sentence?

Here is “rap” used in a sentence: “He's been writing rap lyrics since he was a teenager.”

What part of speech is “rap”?

Depending on how it is used, “rap” can be a noun and a verb.

Is “rap” a common word?

“Rap” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “rap” have?

“Rap” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rhythmic style of music where lyrics are spoken quickly, usually over a beat.

What is the difference between rap and hip-hop?

Rap is the vocal style in which lyrics are spoken quickly and rhythmically over a beat. Hip-hop is the broader culture and music genre that includes rap along with elements like DJing, so rap is one part of hip-hop.

Is it 'bad rap' or 'bad rep'?

The standard idiom is 'bad rap,' meaning unfair blame or a poor reputation. 'Bad rep' is a common variation, since 'rep' is short for reputation, but 'bad rap' is the traditional and widely accepted form.

What is the difference between 'rap' and 'wrap'?

Rap and wrap sound alike but differ in meaning. Rap is a music style or a sharp knock, while wrap means to cover or enclose something, as in wrapping a gift.

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strike blame pink belt knock bang pat tap rhyme whack whang

Nearby words

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