What does rapped mean?
Rapped is the past tense and past participle of rap, a verb with several distinct uses. In its best-known modern sense, it means to perform or speak words in a rapid, rhythmic, rhyming style, as in hip-hop music. In informal conversation, “rapped about” means to talk or discuss something at length, while an older literary sense means to strike or knock sharply. The word’s range—from forceful physical blows to the rhythm of a musical performance—makes it especially memorable. Although the musical sense originated in US African American English and is closely associated with hip-hop, it is now widely used in British and international English as well. Rapped is also homophonous with wrapped, but the two words have entirely different meanings: one concerns rhythmic performance, and the other concerns enclosing or covering something.
To speak, sing, or perform words in a rapid, rhythmic, rhyming style; to discuss informally; or to strike or tap with sharp blows.
"The duo rapped an original verse during the finale."
The rhythmic-performance and discussion senses are informal; the striking sense is now uncommon.
Having been rapped, especially performed or spoken in a rhythmic, rhyming style.
"The audience responded enthusiastically to her rapped verses."
This is chiefly a participial or attributive use and is less common than the verb.
From a sharp knock to rapid-fire verses, one little word carries both a blow and a beat.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rapped come from?
The older English sense of rap, meaning a blow or knock, is traced through Middle English to an Old English word associated with a violent knock and with the Germanic roots for seizing or plundering. It is cognate with several English words ultimately connected to Latin rapere, “to seize or take,” including rapt, rapturous, and rapacious. The musical sense developed much later in twentieth-century African American vernacular English and became widely familiar through hip-hop culture.
Related word forms
How rapped is actually used
The musical sense is informal and modern, strongly associated with hip-hop, although it is now used internationally. The sense meaning to talk about something is also informal, while the older sense of striking with blows is uncommon.
Easily confused with rapped
Rapped means performed or spoke in a rap style, while wrapped means enclosed or covered in something.