bop

1 of 4

verb (1)

bopped; bopping

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
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

Examples of bop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
In videos posted to TikTok, Perry bops her head to the track and belts out the song’s chorus, as Rita Ora grooves next to her. Anna Chan, Billboard, 23 Feb. 2024 Strawberry, Pop-Tarts’ oversized edible mascot, spent the entirety of the game bopping around with glee. Jason Abbruzzese, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2024 While Britney stans are holding tight to their Timberlake grudge, the pop icon is bopping along to his musical comeback. Shania Russell, EW.com, 29 Jan. 2024 In March, 2021, after the President stumbled while climbing the stairs to board Air Force One, the New York Post aggregated the inevitable memes, including one that showed former President Donald Trump driving a golf ball that bopped Biden in the back of the head. Clare Malone, The New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2024 Mowry could be seen bopping her head back and forth, shimmying her hips and even adding a few snaps. Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 20 Jan. 2024 Deborah bopped from the cafeteria to another schoolroom, where another precinct was sharing the space. Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2024 Visitors can easily bop around town by bike during mild weather, and many hotels offer guests complimentary use of cruisers. Catherine Garcia, The Week Us, theweek, 7 Jan. 2024 At the West Des Moines Marriott, her campaign had set up what was meant to seem like a celebration with supporters bopping around to Queen. Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2024
Noun
Fan voting will determine this year’s best lyrics, best music video, best fan army, social star award, favorite tour photographer, TikTok bop of the year, favorite on screen, favorite tour style and favorite debut album. Thania Garcia, Variety, 4 Mar. 2024 Related On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are chatting about the pair of high-profile bops and whether either has a chance to debut atop next week’s Hot 100. Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 16 Jan. 2024 While Barbie mostly features dance bops and bubble gum fare from mood-boosting VIPs (Dua Lipa, Nicki Minaj, Charli XCX), ice queen Billie Eilish came in clutch with its emotional apex. Jason Lamphier, EW.com, 17 Dec. 2023 Eden Muñoz, for example, spoke about an upcoming bop with Alejandro Sanz, while Michelle Maciel unveiled a heartfelt tune with Yahritza y Su Esencia, slated for April. Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 23 Feb. 2024 At first glance, many appear to be possible break-up songs, or songs about difficulties in a relationship, with a few possible new love bops thrown in. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 6 Feb. 2024 Fans can vote in several categories, including best lyrics, best music video, best fan army, social star award, favorite tour photographer, TikTok bop of the year, favorite tour style and two new fields: favorite on screen and favorite debut album. Maria Sherman, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2024 The saccharine pop bop has since peaked at No. 22 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100, with greater gains expected following the film’s box office-topping opening weekend and the pair’s viral Saturday Night Live performance. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 25 Jan. 2024 The new restaurant will also feature a few new menu items, like kimchi fried rice and spicy noodle bop (a rice and ramen mix with flank steak, a sunny side up egg and sweet and spicy bacon). Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of bop was in 1928

Dictionary Entries Near bop

Cite this Entry

“Bop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bop. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bop

1 of 2 verb
bopped; bopping

bop

2 of 2 noun
: a blow (as from a fist or club) that strikes a person

More from Merriam-Webster on bop

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