bebop

Meaning

Noun

An early form of modern jazz played by small groups and featuring driving rhythms and complex, often dissonant harmonies.

Verb

1. To participate in bebop jazz, such as by dancing in a way associated with the genre.
2. To walk in an easygoing, carefree manner.

Synonyms

bop

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbiːbɒp/

Etymology

Alteration of earlier rebop, nonsense syllables used in scat singing in the 1940s. Compare doo be doo be doo, doo-wop, etc.