Tap
/tæp/
nounverbA2
Definition
As a noun, a tap is a light touch or a device that lets liquid flow out, like a faucet for water. As a verb, tap means to touch something gently and quickly, or to get liquid by opening a tap.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
A light touch or hit (noun)
- •She gave the table a tap to get attention.
- •I heard a tap on the window during the storm.
- •The baby’s tap on the glass was very soft.
To touch or hit lightly and quickly (verb)
- •He tapped his friend on the shoulder.
- •Please tap the screen to start the game.
- •She tapped her foot to the music beat.
A device for letting liquid flow out (noun)
- •The kitchen tap is leaking water.
- •Turn the tap to get cold water.
- •The bar had a tap for fresh beer.
To draw liquid from a container or device (verb)
- •They tapped the maple tree to collect syrup.
- •He tapped the keg to pour beer.
- •The workers tapped the oil well for fuel.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "tap" like "touch," but quicker and lighter, like a small knock
- ✓Picture your finger lightly hitting a door to say "hello" without noise
- ✓It's the feeling of a soft pat on your shoulder to get your attention
- ✓Sounds like "tap" → imagine the sound of fingers hitting a table softly, like a small drum
- ✓Think of turning on a water tap to get water flowing easily
- ✓NOT like "hit" (hard and strong), tap is soft and gentle
- ✓NOT like "knock" (usually on doors and louder), tap is quieter and smaller
- ✓NOT like "pour" (slowly letting liquid flow), tap is opening a device to let liquid come out
- ✓NOT like "push" (force), tap is a gentle quick touch
Try Other Words
- •Knock: to hit a door or surface, usually louder and more forceful (Use when the sound or action is stronger)
- •Pat: a soft touch, usually repeated and friendly (Use when the touch is gentle and kind, often repeated)
- •Drip: small drops of liquid falling slowly (Use when talking about liquid falling, not opening a tap)
- •Press: to push down on something firmly (Use when the action is stronger and longer than a tap)
Unboxing
- •"tap" is a simple root word with no prefix or suffix
- •Etymology: Old English "tæppa," meaning a peg or stopper used to control liquid flow
- •Historical development: Originally meant a wooden peg in barrels to control liquid; later used for the action of hitting lightly
- •Modern usage: Commonly used as a noun and verb for light touch, and for devices controlling liquid flow (like faucets)
Reflect & Connect
•How can the word "tap" describe both a gentle touch and a way to get water? What do these meanings have in common?
•Can you think of situations where a tap is important in daily life? How does understanding this word help you in those situations?
Fill in the blanks
1.When you want to get someone's attention quietly, you ___ their shoulder with a light ___.
2.To get water from the sink, you have to turn the ___ ___ slowly.
3.Unlike a strong hit, a tap is a ___ and ___ touch.
4.The musician tapped his fingers on the table to keep the ___.
5.When collecting syrup, workers ___ the tree to let the liquid ___ out.
6.She tapped the screen ___ to open the app on her phone.
7.A dripping faucet is different from a tap because it lets water ___ out slowly without ___ it.