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

Did you know?

Slang Meaning of Bop

Bop is a slang term for a person who has had many sexual partners, or who presents themself online in a way that is thought of as immodest (such as posting pictures or video with revealing clothing). Bop is often used with another word, such as lala bop or school bop. Learn more >

Synonyms of bop

Verb (1)

• hit
• smack
• slap
• knock
• bang
• slam
• punch
• clap
• whack
• strike
• bat
• clip
• swipe
• pound

Noun (1)

• blow
• thump
• hit
• slap
• swipe
• thud
• punch
• whack
• knock
• poke
• pound
• stroke
• smack
• lick
• bang
• spank
• slam
• beat
• clap

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

Fox, the actress-model-memoirist best known for Uncut Gems, and Shazam, the model-photographer-director, first met at a party as teens and have been bopping around lower Manhattan ever since. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 23 Sep. 2026

Around me, in the nosebleeds, were a mix of children in big friend groups and softly bopping couples. — Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2026

Noun

Drizzy teased nearly ten new records and mixes in the film, ranging from acoustic ballads to island bops, New Orleans bounce tracks, and another rager with Yeat. — Armon Sadler, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026

Ciara, who has been married to former NFL quarterback Russell Wilson for a decade and before then soundtracked my college experience with her bops, is the guest judge filling in for Nina. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 July 2026

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)

1945, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for bop

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

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