# tap

/ˈtæp/ (US) · /tˈæp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tap
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. water/gas valve

noun · CEFR A2 · British English

a device you turn or pull to control the flow of liquid or gas from a pipe.

For teachers: a valve or faucet used to regulate the release of a fluid or gas from a pipe or container.

- Don't forget to turn off the kitchen tap after you finish washing the dishes.
- The plumber discovered that the main tap was corroded, preventing the residents from shutting off the water supply during the emergency.

Usage: In American English, 'faucet' is more common for indoor sinks, while 'tap' is standard in British English.

### 2. a light hit

noun · CEFR B1

a gentle hit or touch, often making a quick, sharp sound.

For teachers: a light, rhythmic blow or strike that typically produces a distinct percussive sound.

- I heard a soft tap on the window and saw a bird outside.
- A rhythmic tap against the floorboards betrayed his nervousness as he waited for the interview to begin.

### 3. screen touch

noun · CEFR A2

the act of touching a screen on a phone or tablet to make it do something.

For teachers: a single tactile interaction with a touch-sensitive interface to trigger a command.

- With just one tap on the app, you can order a taxi to your house.
- The user interface was designed so that any critical setting could be reached with a single tap from the home screen.

### 4. to hit lightly

verb · CEFR A2

to hit something or someone quickly and gently.

For teachers: to strike a surface or object with a light, quick blow.

- He tapped his friend on the shoulder to get her attention.
- She tapped her pen against the desk impatiently while waiting for the computer to reboot.

### 5. to use a resource

verb · CEFR B2

to start using a supply of something, like money, information, or energy.

For teachers: to access or exploit a resource, often one that has been previously unused or underutilised.

- The company wants to tap into the youth market with its new clothing line.
- To fund the expansion, the board decided to tap into the company's emergency reserves rather than taking out a high-interest loan.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'into'.

### 6. to listen secretly

verb · CEFR B2

to use a secret device to listen to someone's phone calls.

For teachers: to monitor a telephone or internet connection secretly using electronic equipment.

- The police had to get a special permit to tap the suspect's phone.
- Intelligence agencies were accused of tapping the private communications of foreign diplomats during the summit.

### 7. to choose someone

verb · CEFR C1 · American English · Informal

to choose someone for a special job or position.

For teachers: to select or designate an individual for a specific task, role, or honour.

- She was tapped to lead the new project because of her great experience.
- The senator was widely expected to be tapped for a cabinet position following the successful election campaign.

Teaching tip: This sense is common in American journalism when discussing political appointments or corporate promotions.

## Examples

- She turns on the tap to wash her hands.
- The kitchen tap has been dripping all night, so we'll need to call a plumber.
- The historic pub prided itself on its selection of craft beers, each drawn from a gleaming, ornate tap mounted on the polished oak bar.

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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.