bop

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈbäp 

bopped; bopping

transitive verb

: hit, sock

bop

2 of 4

noun (1)

: a blow (as with the fist or a club) that strikes a person

bop

3 of 4

noun (2)

1

: jazz characterized by harmonic complexity, convoluted melodic lines, and constant shifting of accent and often played at very rapid tempos

2

: jive sense 1

bopper noun

bop

4 of 4

verb (2)

bopped; bopping

intransitive verb

1

: to go quickly or unceremoniously : pop

bop into the corner store

—often used with off

2

: to dance or shuffle along to or as if to bop music

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• bang
• bash
• bat
• belt
• biff
• bludgeon
• bob
• bonk
• box
• bust
• clap
• clip
• clobber
• clock
• clout
• crack
• hammer
• hit
• knock
• nail
• paste
• pound
• punch
• rap
• slam
• slap
• slog
• slug
• smack
• smite
• sock
• strike
• swat
• swipe
• tag
• thump
• thwack
• wallop
• whack
• whale
• zap

Noun (1)

• bang
• bash
• bat
• beat
• belt
• biff
• blow
• box
• buffet
• bust
• chop
• clap
• clip
• clout
• crack
• cuff
• dab
• douse [British]
• fillip
• hack
• haymaker
• hit
• hook
• knock
• larrup [dialect]
• lash
• lick
• pelt
• pick
• plump
• poke
• pound
• punch
• rap
• slam
• slap
• slug
• smack
• smash
• sock
• spank
• stinger
• stripe
• stroke
• swat
• swipe
• switch
• thud
• thump
• thwack
• wallop
• welt
• whack
• wham
• whop
• whap

Examples of bop in a Sentence

Verb (1)

she playfully bopped him on the head

Noun (1)

a bop to the printer sometimes fixes it

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars 'Die with a Smile' There is talent, and then there is Lady Gaga bopping into Bruno Mars’ studio at his invite and writing and recording a song the same day. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024

Landman really benefits from Thornton being a pleasure to watch bop around, look sweaty, rant about the state of America, and generally express a state of existential exhaustion. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2024

Noun

Alongside recasting Rodgers and Hammerstein show tunes as country bops, this song deftly reframes generational trauma with a tip of the hat to Loretta Lynn and Minnie Pearl. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 25 Nov. 2024

The South African singer has delivered many bops this year, and her approach to fashion has been filled with just as many hits. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

imitative

Noun (2)

short for bebop

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1928, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1932, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

bop

1 of 2 verb

ˈbäp 

bopped; bopping

: hit entry 1 sense 1, sock

bop

2 of 2 noun

: a blow (as from a fist or club) that strikes a person