Definition

1. Noun (plural):
   • Respect, recognition, or credit given for achievement: A slang term, originating from African-American Vernacular English and hip-hop culture, meaning proper respect or acknowledgment.
   • Objects used on a theater or film stage: The shortened, informal plural form of "properties," referring to the portable items used by actors during a performance.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Respect/Credit):

  • You have to give her props for finishing the marathon with an injury.
  • He earned his props in the music industry through years of hard work.

• Noun (Theater/Film Items):

  • The actors checked their props before the scene started.
  • She is in charge of organizing all the props for the school play.

Advanced Usage

• "to give/get/props": To give or receive respect or credit.

  • I give you props for telling the truth. (I respect you for telling the truth.)
  • His innovative design got major props from the critics. (His design received significant praise from the critics.)

• "props to [someone]": A phrase used to directly acknowledge and praise someone.

  • Props to the entire team for working overtime to meet the deadline.

Variants and Related Words

• Proper respect (noun phrase): The full, formal phrase from which the slang "props" is derived.
• Property (noun): The full term for a stage prop. A prop master is the person in charge of stage properties.
• Recognition (noun): Formal acknowledgment.
• Kudos (noun): Praise and honor received for an achievement (similar in meaning to the slang "props").

Synonyms

• Respect (noun): A feeling of deep admiration.
• Credit (noun): Public acknowledgment or praise.
• Acclaim (noun): Enthusiastic and public praise.

Related Phrases

• Pay one's respects: To visit or express polite greetings (more formal).
• Due credit: The acknowledgment that someone deserves.

Notes on Usage

• The slang meaning of "props" (meaning respect) is informal and is commonly used in spoken language, journalism, and online communication related to pop culture, sports, and arts.
• The theatrical meaning ("stage props") is standard but still somewhat informal; the full term "properties" is used in more formal theatrical contexts.

Noun

1. proper respect
   • I have to give my props to the governor for the way he handled the problem