bop

¹

[ bop ]

noun

1. Also called bebop. early modern jazz developed in the early 1940s and characterized by often dissonant triadic and chromatic chords, fast tempos and eccentric rhythms, intricate melodic lines punctuated by pop-tune phrases, and emphasizing the inventiveness of soloists. Compare cool jazz, hard bop, modern jazz, progressive jazz.

verb (used without object)

, bopped, bop·ping.

1. Slang. to move, go, or proceed (often followed by on down ):

   Let's bop on down to the party.

bop

²

[ bop ]

verb (used with object)

, bopped, bop·ping.

1. to strike, as with the fist or a stick; hit.

noun

1. a blow.

bop

¹

/ bɒp /

verb

1. tr to strike; hit

noun

1. a blow

bop

²

/ bɒp /

noun

1. a form of jazz originating in the 1940s, characterized by rhythmic and harmonic complexity and instrumental virtuosity Originally calledbebop
2. informal.
   a session of dancing to pop music

verb

1. informal.
   intr to dance to pop music

Derived Forms

• ˈbopper, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bop¹

1945–50, Americanism; (be)bop

Origin of bop²

First recorded in 1935–40; variant of bob ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of bop¹

C19: of imitative origin

Origin of bop²

C20: shortened from bebop

Example Sentences

A number of pieces showed off Wise’s facility with an FM radio-friendly pop-rock sound: “Hot Head Bop” had an irresistible bass lick, “Mining Melancholy” was driven by pickax percussion and “Bayou Boogie” borrowed — for the swamp level — the doom-laden opening drum pattern from Phil Collins’s “In the Air Tonight.”

From New York Times

According to prosecutors, Combs’ notes were recovered from the “defendant’s cell during a pre-planned nationwide sweep of BOP facilities.”

From Los Angeles Times

For a strange hour, one could digest Sunday brunch, laugh, cry, reflect, bop along to the music, quietly listen or let it all out in a deafening collective primal scream.

From Los Angeles Times

The former president also tossed a barb at a Trump town hall on Monday, during which the candidate paused questions to bop along to his playlist for nearly 40 minutes.

From Salon

Eilish and Finneas, 27, use that sense of determination to try new things on “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” most readily perhaps in “Birds of a Feather,” which might be the first song they’ve created that could be described as a breezy summertime bop.

From Los Angeles Times