adj
Uncommon
tapped
tapt
Tapped (adj) means Fitted with a tap, or having had a tap or listening device attached. Example: “The line was tapped, and every call was recorded.”
adj
1
Fitted with a tap, or having had a tap or listening device attached.
"a tapped keg; a tapped maple tree"
"The line was tapped, and every call was recorded."
"The spy suspected that his phone was tapped."
"They found a tapped telephone line hidden behind the wall."
2
Informal slang for crazy or eccentric.
"His eyes danced with delight, and he laughed and told me I was tapped in the head as he mussed up my hair, provoking me to kick him in the butt."
— Dorothy Preston, Getting Off the Radiator (2021)
"You'd have to be tapped to try that stunt."
"My uncle is a bit tapped, but everyone loves his wild stories."
"Are you tapped? Nobody swims in that icy lake in winter!"
How to use tapped
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFitted with a valve or listening device, or, informally, slightly mad.
When to use it
The "crazy" sense is informal slang.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more tapped
- Superlative
- most tapped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The line was _____, and every call was recorded.
Synonyms
View more →
bugged
monitored
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for tapped
mapped
capped
lapped
wrapped
clapped
trapped
chapped
strapped
untapped
kidnapped
unwrapped
handicapped
See all rhymes for tapped →
Frequently asked questions
What does “tapped” mean?
The word “tapped” means fitted with a tap, or having had a tap or listening device attached. In plain terms, fitted with a valve or listening device, or, informally, slightly mad.
How do you pronounce “tapped”?
“Tapped” is pronounced tapt (/tæpt/ in IPA).
How do you use “tapped” in a sentence?
Here is “tapped” used in a sentence: “The line was tapped, and every call was recorded.”
What part of speech is “tapped”?
“Tapped” is an adjective.
Is “tapped” a common word?
“Tapped” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tapped” have?
“Tapped” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: fitted with a tap, or having had a tap or listening device attached.
What does it mean when a phone is tapped?
A tapped phone has had a listening device attached to it, usually so that calls can be secretly monitored or recorded. This sense of 'tapped' refers to fitting something with a tap or surveillance device.
Is tapped meaning crazy formal or informal?
The 'crazy or eccentric' sense of tapped is informal slang, not something you would use in formal writing or speech. It is more common in casual conversation, often as 'tapped in the head.'
What is the difference between a tapped phone and a tapped keg?
A tapped phone has a listening device attached for surveillance, while a tapped keg or pipe has had a tap fitted so liquid can be drawn from it. Both uses share the core idea of something being fitted with a tap, but the purpose differs completely.
