rap

Quick striking sound

Rap connects ideas of striking and speaking quickly.

A rap is a sharp knock or blow: a rap on the door, a rap on the knuckles.

To rap is to strike sharply, or to speak rhythmically over a beat—the musical genre where performers deliver rapid, rhyming lyrics.

A rap is also an accusation or charge: a murder rap, beat the rap.

To take the rap is to accept blame, often for someone else.

To rap can also mean to talk or chat: Let's rap about it.

hiphop

hip-hop

Rhythmic spoken-word music

emceeCeremony host
MCVocal performer or host
barsRods, taverns, or measures

rhymes · verses · flow · cypher · beatbox · mixtape · DJ · turntable · sampling · producer

knock

tap

Valve controlling liquid flow

knockStrike-produced sound
strikeForceful impact or stoppage
bangSudden loud noise

thump · pound · drum · rattle · beat · hit · thud · hammer · patter · rat-a-tat

rhythm

beat

Rhythmic pulse or strike

cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
flowUnbroken forward movement
tempoRate of musical performance

syncopation · groove · pulse · pattern · backbeat · downbeat · timing · meter · swing · pocket

freestyle

improvisation

Spontaneous, unplanned creation

battleArmed military engagement
spitExpelled mouth moisture
punchlinesJokes' concluding zingers

wordplay · ad-lib · unscripted · extemporaneous · spontaneity · cypher · lyricism · delivery · cadence · multisyllabic

talk

chat

Informal verbal exchange

converseEngage in dialogue
discussTalk about thoroughly
banterPlayful, teasing exchange

chatter · gossip · gab · schmooze · jaw · parley · confab · yak · chinwag · natter

blame

accusation

Claim someone did wrong

chargeCost or accusation
indictmentFormal charge from jury
censureFormal institutional disapproval

rebuke · reproach · criticism · fault · frame · fall-guy · scapegoat · pinned · convicted · sentenced

rap

hip-hop

tap

beat

improvisation

chat

accusation

rap

Opposites

Phrases

Categories

Family