hep

C2+ Topic:Describing Qualities

US /hɛp/ UK /hɛp/ See IPA manual

Minimal pairs

Sounds like hap /ɛ/ vs /æ/

Meanings

1

adj
aware of or fashionable about the latest trends (dated slang)

He thought himself quite hep to the new music scene.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · aware of or fashionable... hiptrendyfashionable coolwith-itsavvy aware

Opposites

unfashionable square oblivious clueless

Word family

Derived forms hepcathepster

Related forms hip

Simplified etymology

Hep, meaning “aware, well informed, or sophisticated,” is recorded from 1903 in African American slang, one year before the variant hip. Its deeper origin is unknown; proposed explanations include a source in Wolof and derivation from a person’s name.

Etymology

American slang of obscure origin, first attested in early 20th-century jazz culture; a variant of (or precursor to) hip 'in the know'. The ultimate source is uncertain.

Topics

Describing Qualities Register & Style

External links

# hep

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /hɛp/
**IPA (UK):** /hɛp/

## Meanings
1. aware of or fashionable about the latest trends (dated slang)

## Examples
- He thought himself quite hep to the new music scene.

## Synonyms
- hip
- trendy
- fashionable
- cool
- with-it
- savvy
- aware

## Antonyms
- unfashionable
- square
- oblivious
- clueless

## Derived Forms
- hepcat
- hepster

## Related Forms
- hip

## Etymology
American slang of obscure origin, first attested in early 20th-century jazz culture; a variant of (or precursor to) hip 'in the know'. The ultimate source is uncertain.

## AI Etymology
Hep is American slang of obscure origin, first attested in early 20th-century jazz culture; a variant of (or precursor to) hip 'in the know'. The ultimate source is uncertain. The form preserves a compact historical development in which the older wording and the present sense remain closely connected. As an adjective, it carries the sense "aware of or fashionable about the latest trends (dated slang)", with the older formation still helping explain the modern use. Derivative forms include hepcat, hepster; related words include hip.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Register & Style

markdown

hep