What does hop mean?
“Hop” describes movement that is brief, springy, and relatively light. As a verb, it can mean making a short jump, often with one foot, as a child might do while playing; it can also describe moving quickly and casually, as in “hop on the bus.” The noun refers to an individual jump, a short distance or journey, or the cone-shaped flower of a climbing plant used in brewing. In everyday language, the word has an informal, playful tone, while its use in beer-making is technical. The expression “hop to it” adds urgency, telling someone to hurry or get moving. Together, its physical and geographical senses make “hop” a useful word for describing movement that is quick, light, and relatively easy.
To move by making a short jump, especially on one foot; to move quickly or with short, light steps.
"The rabbit hopped over the fence."
Often informal; in “hop to it,” the word conveys urgency.
A short jump or bounding movement; a brief journey; or the cone-shaped flower of a climbing plant used as an ingredient in brewing.
"The café is only a short hop from the station, while the brewery uses hops to bitter its beer."
The brewing sense is commonly pluralized as “hops.”
Used for individual short jumps or journeys and commonly for the flowers or cones used in brewing.
"The dancers performed a series of graceful hops, and the brewer stored the fresh hops in cold storage."
One small word carries a whole world of movement: from a child’s one-footed skip to the fragrant cones that give beer its bitter character.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of hop
The verb comes from Old English “hoppian,” meaning to leap or spring, and is related to comparable forms in Dutch and German. The noun for a short jump developed from the verb. The brewing sense comes from the Old English word “hoppe,” referring to the climbing plant whose cones are used in beer.
Related word forms
How hop is actually used
As a verb, “hop” is informal and often suggests quick, light, or jaunty movement. The noun meaning the brewing plant is usually used in the plural “hops,” while the plant itself is commonly called “the hop.”
Easily confused with hop
A hop is a physical jump or a short journey, whereas a hope is a wish for something to happen.