# rapping

/ˈɹæpɪŋ/ (US) · /ɹˈæpɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rapping
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

to perform music by speaking words quickly and rhythmically over a beat. You often hear this in hip-hop music.

For teachers: performing a rhythmic, rhyming vocal style over a musical accompaniment. Typically associated with hip-hop and rap genres.

## Examples

- He spent the afternoon rapping with his friends in the park.
- The artist became famous for rapping about his childhood experiences in the city.
- While some performers focus on speed, others prioritise complex internal rhymes and social commentary when rapping over minimalist beats.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is rap very well." but "He is rapping very well." — Learners sometimes use the noun 'rap' as a verb without the proper '-ing' inflection for continuous actions.

## Usage notes

- The verb can be used intransitively or transitively with the lyrics as the object.

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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.