VocabDictionary

hip hop

/ˈhɪp.hɒp/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A subculture and genre of popular music characterized by rhythmic, rhyming speech (rapping) accompanied by a backing beat, often featuring turntable scratching and electronic sampling.

Example Sentences:
  • The festival featured a diverse lineup of legendary hip hop artists from the 90s.
  • Hip hop has evolved from a local Bronx movement into a dominant global cultural force.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “hip hop”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

The term is widely attributed to Keith 'Cowboy' Wiggins, a member of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, who coined the phrase in 1978 while teasing a friend who had joined the U.S. Army by scatting the words 'hip/hop/hip/hop' to mimic the cadence of marching soldiers. It was later adopted by Afrika Bambaataa to describe the burgeoning subculture encompassing DJing, MCing, breakdancing, and graffiti art.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of a 'hip' person 'hopping' to the beat of the music.

Frequently Asked Questions About “hip hop

1. What is the meaning of “hip hop” in English?

In English, hip hop (noun) is defined as: “A subculture and genre of popular music characterized by rhythmic, rhyming speech (rapping) accompanied by a backing beat, often featuring turntable scratching and electronic sampling.”.

2. How do you use “hip hop” in a sentence?

The festival featured a diverse lineup of legendary hip hop artists from the 90s.

3. What are English synonyms of “hip hop”?

Common synonyms include:rap,hip-hop music,urban music

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “hip hop”?

The term is widely attributed to Keith 'Cowboy' Wiggins, a member of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, who coined the phrase in 1978 while teasing a friend who had joined the U.S. Army by scatting the words 'hip/hop/hip/hop' to mimic the cadence of marching soldiers. It was later adopted by Afrika Bambaataa to describe the burgeoning subculture encompassing DJing, MCing, breakdancing, and graffiti art.