rap
gb/ɹˈæp/ us/ɹˈæp/
B1
English
~ 5900
rapzene, rapszám, kopogás, koppintás, kopogtat, rákoppint, bírálat, megrovás, büntetővád, vád, rappel, bírál, megró, kötetlen beszélgetés, dumálás, beszélget, dumál
NOUN
B1
1
rapzene
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone] listens to rap
Rap has become one of the most influential genres in popular music.
A rapzene a popzene egyik legbefolyásosabb műfajává vált.
She prefers rap to rock because she likes the lyrics and rhythm.
Jobban szereti a rapzenét, mint a rockot, mert tetszenek neki a szövegek és a ritmus.
The festival featured live rap, dance, and street art.
Learner examples
He listens to rap every day on his phone.
Mindennap rapzenét hallgat a telefonján.
Rap is very popular with young people.
A rapzene nagyon népszerű a fiatalok körében.
I like both rap and pop music.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the pronunciation of 'rap' /ræp/ with 'rape' /reɪp/ or 'wrap' /ræp/. Pay attention to spelling; 'rap music' is with 'r-a-p'.
Meaning
style of music with rapped vocals
Collocations
rap music
|rap song
|rap artist
|rap album
|rap lyrics
|rap culture
Synonyms
hip-hop (Often used for the wider culture and style that includes rap music, dance, fashion, and art.)
|
hip-hop music (More precise term for the musical style; often interchangeable with 'rap' in casual use.)
Antonyms
classical music (A contrasting musical style that is usually orchestral, written, and not based on spoken rhythm.)
Themes
music
|culture
|entertainment
|arts_entertainment
Definition
A kind of music where people speak words in rhythm over a strong beat, usually as part of hip-hop.
A popular music genre in which rhymed speech is performed rhythmically over a beat, often associated with hip-hop culture.
NOUN
B1
2
rapszám
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] writes a rap for [something]
He wrote a rap for the school talent show.
Írt egy rapszámot az iskolai tehetségkutatóra.
The artist recorded a new rap about life in his city.
Az előadó felvett egy új rapszámot a városában zajló életről.
Each student had to perform a short rap in front of the class.
Learner examples
She made a rap for her friend’s birthday.
Írt egy rapszámot a barátja születésnapjára.
The kids sang a rap about recycling.
A gyerekek előadtak egy rapszámot az újrahasznosításról.
Can you do a rap for us?
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say 'a rap music' when they mean a single song. Use 'a rap song' or 'a rap', not 'a rap music'.
Meaning
a single rap song or verse
Collocations
write a rap
|perform a rap
|do a rap
|spit a rap
|drop a rap
Synonyms
rap song (More explicit; clearly refers to a complete song rather than just a verse.)
|
rap verse (Usually refers to a shorter part of a song, not a full track.)
Antonyms
instrumental (A piece of music with no sung or spoken words, the opposite of a word-focused rap performance.)
Themes
music
|entertainment
|arts_entertainment
Definition
One rap song or set of rap words that someone performs.
A single rap song, verse, or performance in the rap style.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[someone] hears a rap on [something]
There was a sudden rap on the door in the middle of the night.
Az éjszaka közepén hirtelen kopogás hallatszott az ajtón.
She gave the table a quick rap to get everyone’s attention.
Gyorsan rákoppintott az asztalra, hogy mindenki rá figyeljen.
I heard a light rap on the window and went to check.
Learner examples
We heard a rap on the door.
Kopogást hallottunk az ajtón.
He gave a small rap on the desk.
Halkan rákoppintott az íróasztalra.
A loud rap on the window woke me up.
Common mistake:
Learners often know the word 'knock' and may not recognize 'rap' in stories. In this sense, 'a rap on the door' is very close to 'a knock on the door'.
Meaning
quick light knock or sound
Collocations
a rap on the door
|a sharp rap
|a rap on the window
|three quick raps
Synonyms
knock (More general word; 'rap' suggests a quicker, sharper sound.)
Antonyms
silence (The absence of any sound, contrasting with a short, sudden sound like a rap.)
Themes
daily life
|sound
|daily_life
Definition
A short, fast hit that makes a small loud sound, usually on a door or table.
A quick, light hit on a surface that makes a short, sharp sound.
VERB
B2
4
Usage pattern:
[someone] raps on [something]
He rapped on the door three times and waited.
Háromszor kopogtatott az ajtón, majd várt.
She rapped on the table to signal that the meeting was over.
Rákoppintott az asztalra, jelezve, hogy vége az értekezletnek.
A neighbor rapped lightly on the window to say hello.
Learner examples
Someone rapped on my door late at night.
Késő este valaki kopogtatott az ajtómon.
Please rap on the window if you need help.
Kérlek, kopogtass az ablakon, ha segítségre van szükséged.
He rapped on the desk to get the teacher’s attention.
Common mistake:
Learners often use only 'knock' and do not use 'rap'. Both are correct, but 'rap' sounds a bit more descriptive or literary.
Meaning
hit or knock quickly and lightly
Collocations
rap on the door
|rap on the window
|rap on the table
|rap lightly
Synonyms
knock (General term; 'rap' often suggests a smaller, quicker knock.)
Antonyms
stroke (To move the hand gently over something, the opposite of a quick, sharp hit.)
Themes
daily life
|sound
|daily_life
Definition
To hit something fast and not very hard, usually to make a short loud sound.
To hit or knock on something quickly and lightly, producing a short, sharp sound.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
5
Usage pattern:
[someone] gets a rap for [something]
The company got a rap for ignoring safety rules.
A cég megrovást kapott, amiért figyelmen kívül hagyta a biztonsági előírásokat.
Parents often take the rap when their teenagers misbehave.
Gyakran a szülők viszik el a balhét, amikor a kamasz gyerekeik rosszul viselkednek.
Social media sometimes gets a bad rap, but it can be useful.
Learner examples
Fast food gets a bad rap for health problems.
A gyorsételeknek rossz a hírük az egészségügyi problémák miatt.
He took the rap for the team’s mistake.
Ő vitte el a balhét a csapat hibájáért.
The school got a rap for poor test scores.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'a bad rap' means a bad rap song. In this sense, 'rap' means bad criticism or reputation, not music.
Meaning
criticism or blame for wrongdoing
Collocations
a bad rap
|get a rap for
|take the rap
|deserve a rap
Synonyms
criticism (More general and neutral; 'rap' is more informal and often suggests blame.)
Antonyms
praise (Positive approval and compliments, the opposite of criticism or blame.)
Themes
judgment
|emotions
|communication
|relationships
Definition
Strong negative words or blame for doing something wrong.
Criticism or blame, especially when someone is officially told they have done something wrong.
NOUN
C1
INFORMAL
6
büntetővád
B2
vád
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] gets a [type] rap
He was picked up on a drug rap last year.
Tavaly drogvád miatt vették őrizetbe.
The lawyer managed to help her client beat the rap.
Az ügyvédnek sikerült elérnie, hogy ügyfelét felmentsék a vádak alól.
The suspect already had a long rap sheet before the new arrest.
Learner examples
He went to jail on a robbery rap.
Rablás vádjával került börtönbe.
The man beat the rap and walked free.
A férfit felmentették a vád alól, és szabadon távozott.
She has no rap sheet; this is her first arrest.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this use of 'rap' with the musical meaning. In crime stories, 'rap' usually means a charge or case, not music.
Meaning
criminal charge or record
Collocations
a murder rap
|drug rap
|beat the rap
|rap sheet
|weapons rap
Synonyms
charge (Standard legal term; 'rap' is more informal and often used in speech or crime stories.)
Antonyms
acquittal (A legal decision that someone is not guilty, the opposite of receiving a criminal charge or conviction.)
Themes
crime
|law
Definition
A crime that the police say you did, or that is written on your police record.
A criminal charge, accusation, or conviction, especially as it appears in a person’s official police record.
VERB
B2
7
rappel
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] raps [something]
The group rapped three new tracks at the concert.
A csapat három új számot rappelt el a koncerten.
She loves to rap about social issues.
Szeret társadalmi kérdésekről rappelni.
He started rapping in college and later signed a record deal.
Learner examples
They rap in both English and Spanish.
Angolul és spanyolul is rappelnek.
He learned to rap by copying his favorite songs.
Úgy tanult meg rappelni, hogy a kedvenc számait utánozta.
She can rap very fast.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say 'make a rap' for performing. Use 'rap a verse', 'rap a song', or simply 'rap' without an object.
Meaning
perform rap music or lyrics
Collocations
rap a verse
|rap over a beat
|rap along
|rap about life
|rap in English
Synonyms
MC (In hip-hop culture, to rap as a master of ceremonies; more culture-specific slang.)
Antonyms
sing (To produce musical tones with the voice; rap uses more speech-like rhythm than melody.)
Themes
music
|entertainment
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Definition
To say words in rhythm over music, like a rap singer.
To perform spoken rhymed lyrics rhythmically over a beat, as in rap music.
VERB
C1
8
Usage pattern:
[someone] raps [someone/something] for [something]
Environmental groups rapped the company for dumping waste into the river.
Környezetvédő szervezetek bírálták a céget, amiért hulladékot öntött a folyóba.
The committee rapped the minister over his handling of the crisis.
A bizottság megrótta a minisztert a válság kezelése miatt.
Parents have rapped the school for cutting arts programs.
Learner examples
The newspaper rapped the mayor for the slow work.
Az újság bírálta a polgármestert a lassú munka miatt.
They rapped the team for playing badly.
Bírálták a csapatot, amiért rosszul játszott.
Many people rapped the company for its ad.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the music meaning when reading headlines like 'Senators rap the plan'. In such headlines, 'rap' usually means 'criticize', not 'perform music'.
Meaning
criticize or formally blame
Collocations
rap the government
|rap the company
|rap officials for
|rap the agency over
Synonyms
criticize (Common general verb; 'rap' is a bit more vivid and used often in news headlines.)
Antonyms
praise (To say good things about someone, the opposite of rapping them for mistakes.)
Themes
judgment
|politics
|media
|communication
|relationships
Definition
To say strong negative things about someone or something because they did something wrong.
To criticize or officially blame someone or something for doing something wrong.
NOUN
C1
INFORMAL
9
dumálás
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] has a rap with [someone] about [something]
We had a long rap about our plans for the future.
Hosszan beszélgettünk a jövőbeli terveinkről.
The youth group meets every Friday for music and open raps.
Az ifjúsági csoport minden pénteken összejön zenére és nyílt beszélgetésekre.
After the show, the artist stayed to have a rap with fans.
Learner examples
Let’s have a rap about your ideas.
Beszélgessünk egyet az ötleteidről.
They had a late-night rap in the kitchen.
Késő éjszakáig beszélgettek a konyhában.
He joined the group for a rap about school life.
Common mistake:
This use is less common today and can sound old-fashioned. Learners should understand it but normally use 'talk' or 'chat' instead.
Meaning
informal or serious talk
Collocations
have a rap
|a late-night rap
|a heart-to-heart rap
Synonyms
chat (Very common word; 'rap' sounds more dated and linked with youth or counterculture speech.)
Antonyms
silence (A state of not talking, the opposite of having a conversation.)
Themes
communication
|relationships
Definition
A relaxed talk, often long and honest, about life or problems.
An informal conversation, often a long or serious talk, especially about personal or social issues.
VERB
C1
INFORMAL
10
Usage pattern:
[someone] raps with [someone] about [something]
After class, the teacher stayed to rap with students about their worries.
Óra után a tanár ott maradt, hogy beszélgessen a diákokkal az aggodalmaikról.
We rapped for hours about music and relationships.
Órákig beszélgettünk zenéről és kapcsolatokról.
She often raps with teens about mental health.
Learner examples
Let’s rap about your problem after work.
Beszélgessünk a problémádról munka után.
They rapped with the coach about the game.
Beszélgettek az edzővel a meccsről.
He likes to rap with his friends about the news.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this slang verb in formal writing. In normal modern English, use 'talk' or 'discuss' in formal contexts.
Meaning
talk informally and openly
Collocations
rap with friends
|rap about politics
|rap about life
Synonyms
chat (Very common; 'rap' sounds more slangy and somewhat old-fashioned.)
Antonyms
keep quiet (To choose not to speak, the opposite of talking openly.)
Themes
communication
|relationships
Definition
To talk in a relaxed way with someone, often for a long time, about real-life problems or ideas.
To talk informally and openly with someone, often for a long time and about personal or social issues.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rap
IPA
GB/ɹˈæp/
US/ɹˈæp/
Syllables & stress
rap (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (rap)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: rap
- Plural: rap, raps
Verb
- Base: rap
- 3rd Person Singular: raps
- Present Participle: rapping
- Past: rapped
Word family
Forms
raps
noun
rapping
verb
rapped
verb
Core family
rapper
noun
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: rapping Verb
- Irregular past: rapped Verb
Expressions
a bad rap
1/ə bˈæd ɹˈæp/
fixed phrase
informal
unfair negative reputation
Unfair negative talk or opinion about someone or something.
Examples
- Nuclear power has a bad rap, but it produces low-carbon energy.
- The neighborhood used to have a bad rap, but it has changed a lot.
beat the rap
1/bˈit ðə ɹˈæp/
idiom
informal
avoid criminal conviction or punishment
To escape being found guilty or punished for a crime or wrong action.
Examples
- Many people were surprised when the politician beat the rap in court.
- His lawyer helped him beat the rap on a technical detail.
get a bad rap
1/ɡˈɛt ə bˈæd ɹˈæp/
idiom
informal
receive unfair negative reputation
To be talked about in a bad way that is not completely fair or true.
Examples
- Fast food gets a bad rap, but some chains now offer healthier options.
- Video games often get a bad rap for causing violence, which many experts disagree with.
rap about something
1/ɹˈæp əbˈaʊt sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
informal
talk openly about a subject
To talk in a relaxed way about a subject, often for a long time.
Examples
- They rapped about politics late into the night.
- She often raps about mental health issues with teenagers.
rap along
1/ɹˈæp əlˈɔŋ/
phrasal verb
informal
rap at same time as music
To say the words of a rap song together with the music that is playing.
Examples
- The crowd rapped along with every word of the chorus.
- She loves to rap along to her favorite tracks in the car.
rap on the knuckles
1/ɹˈæp ˈɔn ðə nˈʌkəlz/
idiom
mild punishment or criticism
A small, not very serious punishment or criticism for doing something wrong.
Examples
- The company got a rap on the knuckles from regulators but avoided a big fine.
- He received only a rap on the knuckles for handing in his report late.
rap out something
1/ɹˈæp ˈaʊt sˈʌmθɪŋ/
phrasal verb
say something quickly and sharply
To say words very fast and strongly, like short loud hits.
Examples
- The officer rapped out the orders without hesitation.
- She rapped out a list of names as the team prepared to leave.
rap sheet
1/ɹˈæp ʃˈit/
fixed phrase
informal
official record of arrests
An official list of the crimes or arrests a person has had.
Examples
- The suspect had a long rap sheet that included several theft charges.
- Employers sometimes check an applicant’s rap sheet before hiring.
rap someone's knuckles
1/ɹˈæp sˈʌmwˌʌnz nˈʌkəlz/
idiom
mildly punish or criticize someone
To punish or criticize someone a little, but not very strongly.
Examples
- The teacher rapped his knuckles for talking during the test.
- The boss rapped their knuckles for missing the deadline.
rap with someone
1/ɹˈæp wˈɪθ sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
informal
talk informally with someone
To talk in a relaxed, open way with someone, often about real-life issues.
Examples
- After the show, the artist stayed to rap with fans about their lives.
- The counselor raps with students who need someone to listen.
take the rap
1/tˈeɪk ðə ɹˈæp/
idiom
informal
accept blame or punishment
To accept blame or punishment for something, often when others are also responsible.
Examples
- He took the rap for the mistake so his younger coworkers wouldn’t get in trouble.
- The manager refused to take the rap for a decision she hadn’t made.