noun
bebop
BEE-bop
Bebop (noun) means a fast, complex style of jazz that emerged in the 1940s, known for improvisation and intricate harmonies. Example: “Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie were pioneers of bebop.”
noun
1
A fast, complex style of jazz that emerged in the 1940s, known for improvisation and intricate harmonies.
"Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie were pioneers of bebop."
How to use bebop
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fast, improvisational style of jazz from the 1940s, more complex than earlier swing music.
Common pairings
a bebop musician
play bebop
bebop era
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- bebops
- Past tense
- bebopped
Fill the gap
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Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie were pioneers of _____.
Etymology
Thought to imitate the two-note vocal riff musicians used when scatting or humming the style's rhythms — "be-bop" — which became the genre's name in the 1940s jazz scene.
Class of 1940
bebop joined the language around 1940.
See the full Class of 1940 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “bebop” mean?
The word “bebop” means a fast, complex style of jazz that emerged in the 1940s, known for improvisation and intricate harmonies. In plain terms, a fast, improvisational style of jazz from the 1940s, more complex than earlier swing music.
How do you pronounce “bebop”?
“Bebop” is pronounced BEE-bop (/ˈbibɑp/ in IPA).
How do you use “bebop” in a sentence?
Here is “bebop” used in a sentence: “Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie were pioneers of bebop.”
What part of speech is “bebop”?
“Bebop” is a noun.
Where does the word “bebop” come from?
The word “bebop” dates back to around 1940. Thought to imitate the two-note vocal riff musicians used when scatting or humming the style's rhythms — "be-bop" — which became the genre's name in the 1940s jazz scene.
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