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adjective

hep

hehp
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Hep (adjective) means Fashionably aware and up-to-date; an older, jazz-era word for "hip". Example: “He liked to think of himself as a hep cat who knew all the latest music.”

adjective
1
Fashionably aware and up-to-date; an older, jazz-era word for "hip".
"He liked to think of himself as a hep cat who knew all the latest music."

How to use hep

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old-fashioned slang word meaning cool or in-the-know — the ancestor of today's "hip".

When to use it

Dated slang, mostly associated with 1940s-50s jazz culture; rarely used seriously today.

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Word forms

Plural
heps
Third person singular
heps
Past tense
hepped
Comparative
more hep
Superlative
most hep
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He liked to think of himself as a _____ cat who knew all the latest music.

Etymology

An alteration of the word "hip" in its slang sense.

hip

Related words

Rhymes for hep

See all rhymes for hep →

Frequently asked questions

What does “hep” mean?
The word “hep” means fashionably aware and up-to-date; an older, jazz-era word for "hip". In plain terms, an old-fashioned slang word meaning cool or in-the-know — the ancestor of today's "hip".
How do you pronounce “hep”?
“Hep” is pronounced hehp (/hɛp/ in IPA).
How do you use “hep” in a sentence?
Here is “hep” used in a sentence: “He liked to think of himself as a hep cat who knew all the latest music.”
What part of speech is “hep”?
“Hep” is an adjective.

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