hop

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈhäp 

hopped; hopping

intransitive verb

1

: to move by a quick springy leap or in a series of leaps

also : to move as if by hopping

hop in the car

2

: to make a quick trip especially by air

3

: to set about doing something

—usually used in the phrase hop to it

transitive verb

1

: to jump over

hop a fence

2

: to ride on

hopped a flight

also : to ride surreptitiously and without authorization

hop a freight train

hop

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

a

: a short brisk leap especially on one leg

b

: bounce, rebound

shortstop scooped it up on the first hop

2

: dance sense 3

3

a

: a flight in an aircraft

b

: a short trip

hop

3 of 4

noun (2)

1

hops plural : the ripe dried female cone-like flower clusters of a north-temperate zone twining plant (Humulus lupulus) of the hemp family used especially to impart a bitter flavor to beer

2

plural hops : the perennial climbing bine from which hops are obtained that have 3- to 5-lobed leaves and inconspicuous flowers of which the pistillate ones are in scaly cone-like clusters

Illustration of hop

• ³hop 2

hop

4 of 4

verb (2)

hopped; hopping

transitive verb

: to flavor with hops

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• skip
• bounce
• jump
• leap
• bound

Noun (1)

• dance
• prom

Examples of hop in a Sentence

Verb (1)

a rabbit hopped across the frozen grass

the frog hopped back into the pond

the bus stopped, a lone passenger hopped on, and the driver continued on his way

Noun (1)

back in those days taking someone to the school hop was a big deal

she made it across the rocky creek in two hops

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Rather than forcing customers to sign up for a regular Sling subscription, which starts at $45.99 a month (with half off upon sign-up), the company is offering a way to hop on and off for big games, tournaments or series. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2025

Other creators hopped on the trend, including Marylyn Chukwuekezie, a beauty content creator based in Nigeria. —Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025

Noun

But beyond the hops and grapes, Cedaredge — on the southern slopes of the Grand Mesa — is home to Snow Capped Cider, a cidery that’s reshaping how Americans think about cider and drawing enthusiasts from near and far. —Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2025

Nissan’s hop to Formula E started six seasons ago with its ‘road-to-track’ approach. —Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English hoppen, from Old English hoppian

Noun (2)

Middle English hoppe, from Middle Dutch; akin to Old High German hopfo hop

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1572, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hop

• a hop, skip, and (a) jump
• bed-hop
• hip hop
• hip hop dance
• hop hornbeam
• hop it
• hop-o'-my-thumb
• hop, skip, and jump
• hop, step, and jump
• hop to it
• island-hop
• sock hop
• table-hop
• trip-hop

Rhymes for hop

• bop
• chop
• cop
• crop
• drop
• flop
• fop
• knop
• lop
• mop
• op
• plop

Kids Definition

hop

1 of 4 verb

ˈhäp 

hopped; hopping

1

: to move by a quick springy leap or series of leaps

especially : to jump on one foot

2

: to jump over

hop a puddle

3

: to move or get aboard by or as if by hopping

hop a train

hop in the car

4

: to make a quick trip especially by air

hop

2 of 4 noun

1

a

: a short brisk leap especially on one leg

b

: bounce entry 2 sense 1b

2

: dance entry 2 sense 3, ball

the junior hop

3

a

: a flight in an airplane

b

: a short trip

hop

3 of 4 noun

1

: a twining vine related to the mulberry and having leaves with lobes and flowers in cone-shaped catkins

2

plural : the ripe dried catkins of a hop used especially to give a bitter flavor to malt liquors

hop

4 of 4 verb

hopped; hopping

: to flavor with hops

Etymology

Verb

Old English hoppian "to leap, hop"

Noun

Middle English hoppe "the hop vine"; of Dutch origin

Medical Definition

hop

1 of 2 noun

ˈhäp 

1

: a twining plant (Humulus lupulus) of the hemp family with 3-lobed or 5-lobed leaves and inconspicuous flowers of which the pistillate ones are in cone-like clusters

2

hops plural : the ripe dried female cone-like flower clusters of a hop plant used especially to impart a bitter flavor to beer and also in medicine as a tonic

HOP

2 of 2 abbreviation

high oxygen pressure