[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/rap/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [R](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/r/) / rap

# rap

noun (rap, uncountable — music; a rap, raps); verb (rap, raps, rapped, rapping)

«rap» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Rap is a kind of music where words are spoken quickly in rhythm over a beat, instead of being sung. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rap/#m1)
2. (verb) To rap means to perform this kind of music. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rap/#m2)
3. A rap is a quick, sharp knock or hit, as in «a rap on the door». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rap/#m3)
4. (verb) To rap means to knock or hit quickly and sharply. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rap/#m4)
5. (informal) «A rap on the knuckles» is a mild telling-off; «take the rap» means to take the blame or punishment, often for someone else. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rap/#m5)
6. (US, informal) A rap sheet is a police record of crimes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rap/#m6)
7. To rap out words means to say them suddenly and sharply. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rap/#m7)

### In the lessons

In music and English lessons, rap shows rhyme, rhythm and wordplay; pupils may write their own raps about a topic. In stories, «a rap at the door» announces a visitor. In everyday talk, «he took the rap for his brother» means he got the blame. Phrases: «rap music», «a rap at the door», «take the rap», «a bad rap» (a bad reputation, often unfair).

### Examples

- We wrote a rap about the times tables. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rap/#x1)
- There was a sharp rap at the window. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rap/#x2)
- The teacher rapped on the desk for silence. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rap/#x3)
- My brother loves rap music. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rap/#x4)
- I took the rap for breaking the vase, but it was the dog. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rap/#x5)
- Spiders get a bad rap, but most are harmless. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rap/#x6)
- She can rap really fast without missing a word. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rap/#x7)
- “Hold your tongue, John,” his father rapped out. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rap/#x8)

### Note

Verb doubles the p: rapped, rapping. Homophone trap: «wrap» (cover with paper) sounds the same as «rap» (knock or music). Rap music is uncountable; one song is «a rap».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «rap» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rap/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«rap» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/rap.html) on Mova free.