Ragtime
/ˈɹæɡˌtaɪm/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Uncommon ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A musical form having a rhythm characterized by strong syncopation in the melody with a regularly accented accompaniment. uncountable
- 2 music with a syncopated melody (usually for the piano) wordnet
- 3 A piece of music in this style. countable
Verb
- 1 To perform this style of music. ambitransitive, uncommon
Example
More examples"They like ragtime, jazz and music with a swing to it."
Etymology
Likely from ragged + time, in reference to its heavy use of syncopation, or from rag, an American dialectal term for a dance ball.