noun
ragtime
RAG-tym
Ragtime (noun) means a style of music with strongly syncopated melodies over a steady, regular accompaniment, popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Example: “Scott Joplin's piano rags helped popularise ragtime.”
noun
1
A style of music with strongly syncopated melodies over a steady, regular accompaniment, popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
"Scott Joplin's piano rags helped popularise ragtime."
How to use ragtime
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn early American piano music style known for its bouncy, off-beat rhythms.
Common pairings
ragtime piano
a ragtime tune
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like ragtime.
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
Word forms
- Plural
- ragtimes
- Third person singular
- ragtimes
- Past tense
- ragtimed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Scott Joplin's piano rags helped popularise _____.
Etymology
Likely from "ragged" plus "time," referring to its heavily syncopated ("ragged") rhythm.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for ragtime
See all rhymes for ragtime →Frequently asked questions
What does “ragtime” mean?
The word “ragtime” means a style of music with strongly syncopated melodies over a steady, regular accompaniment, popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In plain terms, an early American piano music style known for its bouncy, off-beat rhythms.
How do you pronounce “ragtime”?
“Ragtime” is pronounced RAG-tym (/ˈɹæɡˌtaɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “ragtime” in a sentence?
Here is “ragtime” used in a sentence: “Scott Joplin's piano rags helped popularise ragtime.”
What part of speech is “ragtime”?
“Ragtime” is a noun.
