ragtime

[ rag-tahym ]
/ ˈrægˌtaɪm /

noun Music.

rhythm in which the accompaniment is strict two-four time and the melody, with improvised embellishments, is in steady syncopation.
a style of American music having this rhythm, popular from about 1890 to 1915.

Origin of ragtime

1895–1900; probably rag(ged) + time

OTHER WORDS FROM ragtime

rag·time·y, adjective

Definition for ragtime (2 of 2)

Ragtime
[ rag-tahym ]
/ ˈrægˌtaɪm /

noun

a novel (1975) by E. L. Doctorow.

Example sentences from the Web for ragtime

British Dictionary definitions for ragtime

ragtime
/ (ˈræɡˌtaɪm) /

noun

a style of jazz piano music, developed by Scott Joplin around 1900, having a two-four rhythm base and a syncopated melody

Word Origin for ragtime

C20: probably from ragged + time

Cultural definitions for ragtime

ragtime

A style of early jazz music written largely for the piano in the early twentieth century, characterized by jaunty rhythms and a whimsical mood.

notes for ragtime

Scott Joplin was a famous composer and performer of ragtime.