What does bop mean?
The word 'bop' is an informal English term with several related meanings centered on music and movement. As a noun, it most commonly denotes a lively dance or a session of dancing to upbeat popular music, as in 'having a bop at the wedding.' In more recent slang, particularly among younger speakers, calling a song 'a bop' means it is exceptionally catchy and enjoyable. 'Bop' can also refer to a light blow or playful hit, such as 'a bop on the nose.' As a verb, it means to dance energetically or to strike someone lightly. The word originated in mid-twentieth-century American jazz culture as a shortened form of 'bebop,' the fast-paced style of jazz that emerged in the early 1940s. From there it broadened into general slang for dancing and, eventually, for praising great songs. Entirely informal in register, 'bop' carries cheerful, energetic connotations and appears frequently in casual speech, music journalism, and social media rather than formal writing.
A lively dance or a period of energetic dancing to popular music; also, informally, a catchy, enjoyable song; also, a light blow or hit.
"There was plenty of room on the floor for one last bop."
The 'catchy song' sense is recent youth slang; the 'light blow' sense often appears in phrases like 'a bop on the head.'
To dance energetically to popular music, or to strike someone or something lightly.
"They were bopping along to the band all night."
Regular plural, used when referring to multiple dances, blows, or (in modern slang) songs.
"The playlist was full of absolute bops."
'Bop' was born in the smoky jazz clubs of the 1940s as shorthand for 'bebop' — before becoming every teenager's favorite way to say 'this song slaps.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bop
'Bop' first emerged in American English in the early 1940s as a clipped form of 'bebop,' the name given to the fast, improvisational jazz style pioneered by musicians such as Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. The original 'bebop' itself was apparently imitative of the scat-like two-note phrase characteristic of the new music. Over time, 'bop' shed its specific musical association and broadened into general slang for dancing to any popular music, and later still became a way of describing a catchy song. It remains an informal word throughout the English-speaking world.
Related word forms
How bop is actually used
Informal register throughout. The sense meaning 'an excellent song' is recent slang, especially among younger speakers in both British and American English.
Easily confused with bop
'Bob' means to move up and down quickly or a short haircut, while 'bop' refers to dancing energetically or delivering a light blow.