# rap

/ˈɹæp/ (US) · /ɹˈæp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rap
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. music style

noun · CEFR A2

a style of popular music where the words are spoken rhythmically rather than sung.

For teachers: a genre of popular music characterized by rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted rather than sung.

- He listens to a lot of rap while he is working out at the gym.
- The evolution of rap from a local street culture to a global commercial powerhouse has redefined the modern music industry.

### 2. a quick knock

noun · CEFR B1

a quick, sharp hit on a hard surface, like a door.

For teachers: a quick, sharp blow or knock, typically delivered with the knuckles or a hard object.

- I heard a loud rap at the door in the middle of the night.
- A sharp rap on the windowpane startled the librarian, who had been lost in a thick volume of history.

### 3. legal blame

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

the blame or punishment for a crime or a mistake.

For teachers: the responsibility or punishment for a crime; often used in the phrase 'take the rap'.

- He didn't want to take the rap for something his brother did.
- The junior accountant was forced to take the rap for the missing funds, despite having no access to the primary accounts.

### 4. a casual talk

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a casual or informal conversation.

For teachers: an informal or casual conversation; often used to describe a relaxed exchange of ideas.

- We had a long rap about our plans for the summer.
- After the formal presentation, the team sat down for a casual rap to iron out the remaining logistical details.

### 5. to perform rap music

verb · CEFR A2

to speak the words of a song rhythmically in the style of rap music.

For teachers: to perform rhythmic, rhyming speech over a beat; functions as both a transitive and intransitive verb.

- She can rap really fast and never misses a beat.
- The artist began to rap about social injustice, captivating the audience with his intricate rhyme schemes and powerful delivery.

### 6. to knock

verb · CEFR B1

to hit a surface quickly and sharply.

For teachers: to strike a surface with a quick, sharp blow, especially to attract attention.

- He rapped his knuckles against the table to get everyone's attention.
- The chairman rapped his gavel on the wooden block, signaling the commencement of the disciplinary hearing.

## Examples

- He listens to rap music while he exercises at the gym.
- The artist spent years perfecting his rap style before releasing his first studio album.
- The evolution of rap from a local subculture to a global phenomenon has significantly influenced contemporary fashion, language, and social activism.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.