bop

1 of 5

verb (1)

ˈbäp 

bopped; bopping

transitive verb

: hit, sock

bop

2 of 5

noun (1)

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

bop

3 of 5

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 5

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

bopper

5 of 5

noun (3)

bop·​per

ˈbä-pər

variants or less commonly boppist

ˈbä-pist

or bopster

ˈbäp-stər

plural -s

1

a

: one that plays bop : a musician skilled at playing bop

b

: a vocalist that sings with bop accompaniment

2

: a devotee of bop

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

The handful of cops were bopping to Michael Jackson. —Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026

At 16, Avtan bopped around her bedroom in West Hills to the digital hardcore and gabber of acts like Lolita Storm. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026

Noun

All in all, the show bops along quite tastily. —Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026

Or a bop, or a folk tale, or a battle cry, or a 10-minute coming of age song about a scarf. —Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 12 June 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)

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (3)

1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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