interjection Common

bars

BAHZ

Quiz me More like this

Bars (interjection) means slang used to praise something clever, witty, or well put — especially a sharp line in rap or a killer comeback. Example: “The crowd shouted "Bars!" after the young rapper finished his clever final verse.”

interjection

Slang used to praise something clever, witty, or well put — especially a sharp line in rap or a killer comeback.

"The crowd shouted "Bars!" after the young rapper finished his clever final verse."

"Bars! That comeback was so sharp that the whole room went quiet."

""That's bars!" his friends said after he dropped the punchline."

noun

Clever, well-written lyrics or lines, especially in rap music.

"The rapper is known for writing dense, quotable bars."

"Critics praised the album for its sharp bars and wordplay."

"Her verse had such tight rhymes that listeners replayed the bars again and again."

How to use bars

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishModern slang for impressive rap lyrics or a witty remark worth praising.

Common mistake

Don't confuse this slang sense with "bars" meaning the plural of "bar" (a pub, a metal rod, or a measure of music).

When to use it

Informal slang, most common in hip-hop culture and casual speech; not used in formal writing.

Common pairings

that's bars spitting bars sick bars

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like bars.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “bars” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The crowd shouted "_____!" after the young rapper finished his clever final verse.

Etymology

A transliteration of the Russian БАРС (BARS), an abbreviation for Беспрессовая Аппаратура высокого давления (press-free high-pressure setup).

Synonyms

View more →

fire hard sick heat flames cold

Related words

hard fire cool hot match technology cold sick

Rhymes for bars

Mars Lars stars

See all rhymes for bars →

Frequently asked questions

What does “bars” mean?

The word “bars” means slang used to praise something clever, witty, or well put — especially a sharp line in rap or a killer comeback. In plain terms, modern slang for impressive rap lyrics or a witty remark worth praising.

How do you pronounce “bars”?

“Bars” is pronounced BAHZ (/ˈbɑː(ɹ)z/ in IPA).

How do you use “bars” in a sentence?

Here is “bars” used in a sentence: “"That's bars!" his friends said after he dropped the punchline.”

What part of speech is “bars”?

Depending on how it is used, “bars” can be an interjection and a noun.

Is “bars” a common word?

“Bars” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “bars” have?

“Bars” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: slang used to praise something clever, witty, or well put — especially a sharp line in rap or a killer comeback.

What does 'bars' mean in rap?

In rap, 'bars' refers to the lyrics, specifically clever, skillful lines. Saying an artist 'has bars' or 'spits bars' is high praise for sharp wordplay and strong writing. As an exclamation, shouting 'bars!' after a line is a way of applauding it as genuinely impressive.

Why is it called 'bars'?

The term comes from music, where a 'bar' is a single measure, a unit that divides a song into equal beats. Rap verses are counted in bars, so a rapper's lines line up with these measures. Over time, 'bars' shifted from meaning the measures themselves to meaning the impressive lyrics filling them.

Is 'bars' a compliment?

Yes, strongly so. Calling something 'bars' is pure praise for cleverness or skill with words. While it started with rap lyrics, people now use it for any sharp line: a witty comeback, a brilliant tweet, or a perfectly timed joke. If someone says your line was 'bars,' take it as a win.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include bars:

Words that start with B Words that end with S The 5000 most common English words

People also searched

hard fire cool hot match technology cold sick