Tap - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

Maybe your like

SKIP TO CONTENT tap /tæp/ /tæp/ IPA guide

Other forms: tapped; tapping; taps

To tap is to lightly hit something, the way you tap your friend on the shoulder to get her attention or tap your foot against the floor when you're listening to music.

Your fingers tap the keyboard when you write an essay, and if you take tap dancing lessons, you'll spend time tapping your toes in tap shoes. Another kind of tap is a spigot that liquid or gas flows from, or the secret listening device a spy might use. As a verb, it can also mean "make use of," the way you tap into your sister's jar of change when you need an extra dollar or two.

Definitions of tap

verb strike lightly “He tapped me on the shoulder” synonyms: tip see moresee less types: percuss strike or tap firmly type of: strike, zonk deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
verb make light, repeated taps on a surface “he was tapping his fingers on the table impatiently” synonyms: knock, pink, rap see moresee less type of: go, sound make a certain noise or sound
noun a gentle blow synonyms: rap, strike see moresee less type of: blow, bump an impact (as from a collision)
noun a light touch or stroke synonyms: dab, pat see moresee less type of: touch, touching the act of putting two things together with no space between them
noun the sound made by a gentle blow synonyms: pat, rap see moresee less types: pitter-patter a series of rapid tapping sounds type of: sound the sudden occurrence of an audible event
verb walk with a tapping sound see moresee less type of: walk use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
verb dance and make rhythmic clicking sounds by means of metal plates nailed to the sole of the dance shoes synonyms: tapdance see moresee less type of: dance, trip the light fantastic, trip the light fantastic toe move in a pattern; usually to musical accompaniment; do or perform a dance
noun a small metal plate that attaches to the toe or heel of a shoe (as in tap dancing) see moresee less type of: plate a sheet of metal or wood or glass or plastic
verb pierce in order to draw a liquid from “tap a maple tree for its syrup” see moresee less type of: pierce make a hole into
verb furnish with a tap or spout, so as to be able to draw liquid from it see moresee less type of: furnish, provide, render, supply give something useful or necessary to
verb draw (liquor) from a tap see moresee less type of: draw, take out take liquid out of a container or well
verb draw from; make good use of synonyms: exploit see moresee less types: show 8 types... hide 8 types... maximise, maximize make the most of harness exploit the power of mine get from the earth by excavation quarry extract (something such as stones) from or as if from a quarry overexploit exploit excessively commercialise, commercialize exploit for maximal profit, usually by sacrificing quality milk exploit as much as possible strip mine, surface mine, surface-mine extract (ore) from a strip-mine type of: apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
verb draw from or dip into to get something “tap one's memory” “tap a source of money” see moresee less type of: draw, draw off, take out, withdraw remove (a commodity) from (a supply source)
verb make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently or persistently synonyms: beg, solicit see moresee less types: show 4 types... hide 4 types... quest seek alms, as for religious purposes canvas, canvass solicit votes from potential voters in an electoral campaign buttonhole, lobby detain in conversation by or as if by holding on to the outer garments of; as for political or economic favors circularise, circularize canvass by using a questionnaire type of: bespeak, call for, quest, request express the need or desire for; ask for
noun a faucet for drawing water from a pipe or cask synonyms: hydrant, water faucet, water tap see moresee less type of: faucet, spigot a regulator for controlling the flow of a liquid from a reservoir plumbing fixture a fixture for the distribution and use of water in a building
noun a plug for a bunghole in a cask synonyms: spigot see moresee less type of: plug, stopper, stopple blockage consisting of an object designed to fill a hole tightly
verb tap a telephone or telegraph wire to get information “The FBI was tapping the phone line of the suspected spy” synonyms: bug, intercept, wiretap see moresee less type of: eavesdrop, listen in listen without the speaker's knowledge
noun the act of tapping a telephone or telegraph line to get information synonyms: wiretap see moresee less type of: investigating, investigation the work of inquiring into something thoroughly and systematically
noun a tool for cutting female (internal) screw threads see moresee less type of: tool an implement used in the practice of a vocation
verb cut a female screw thread with a tap see moresee less type of: cut separate with or as if with an instrument

Pronunciation US /tæp/ UK /tæp/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

MLA
APA
Chicago

Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘tap'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family 2 million people are mastering new words. Master a word

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.

Get started Learn with us

Learner subscriptions
Vocabulary lists
Dictionary
Test Prep
Join a Vocabulary Jam
Commonly confused words
Word of the day

Teach with us

For educators
For schools and districts
How it works
Success stories
Research
Professional development
Contact sales

Resources

Help articles/FAQ
Teaching resources
Learner resources
ESL/ELL resources
Grade level resources
IPA Pronunciation
Contact support

Leaderboards

Vocabulary Bowl
Today's leaders
Weekly leaders
Monthly leaders

About

Our Mission
Blog
Tell us what you think
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use

My Account Log in Sign up

Log Out
My Learning
My Proficiency Report
My Profile
Schools & Teachers
My Classes
Assignments & Activities
My Lists
- Find a List to Learn...
- Create a New List...
My Progress
- Words I'm Learning
- My Trouble Words
- Words I've Mastered
- My Achievements
User Administration
User Authentication
My Account