the sounds, especially the music, of a film, or a separate recording of this
The best thing about the film is its soundtrack.
soundtrack
sound‧track /ˈsaʊndtræk/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
the recorded music from a film
soundtrack to
the soundtrack to ‘Top Gun’
soundtrack
sound·track [soundtrack soundtracks] [ˈsaʊndtræk] [ˈsaʊndtræk] noun
1. all the music, speech and sounds that are recorded for a film/movie
• The soundtrack of ‘Casablanca’ took weeks to edit.
2. some of the music, and sometimes some speech, from a film/movie or musical that is released on CD, the Internet, etc. for people to buy
• I've just bought the soundtrack of the latest Miyazaki movie.
Collocations:
Cinema/the movies
Watching
go to/take sb to (see) a film/movie
go to/sit in (BrE) the cinema/(NAmE) the (movie) theater
rent a film/movie/DVD
download a film/movie/video
burn/copy/rip a DVD
see/watch a film/movie/DVD/video/preview/trailer
Showing
show/screen a film/movie
promote/distribute/review a film/movie
(BrE) be on at the cinema
be released on/come out on/be out on DVD
captivate/delight/grip/thrill the audience
do well/badly at the box office
get a lot of/live up to the hype
Film-making
write/co-write a film/movie/script/screenplay
direct/produce/make/shoot/edit a film/movie/sequel/video
make a romantic comedy/a thriller/an action movie
do/work on a sequel/remake
film/shoot the opening scene/an action sequence/footage (of sth)
compose/create/do/write the soundtrack
cut/edit (out) a scene/sequence
Acting
have/get/do an audition
get/have/play a leading/starring/supporting role
play a character/James Bond/the bad guy
act in/appear in/star in a film/movie/remake
do/perform/attempt a stunt
work in/make it big in Hollywood
forge/carve/make/pursue a career in Hollywood
Describing films
the camera pulls back/pans over sth/zooms in (on sth)
the camera focuses on sth/lingers on sth
shoot sb/show sb in extreme close-up
use odd/unusual camera angles
be filmed/shot on location/in a studio
be set/take place in London/in the '60s
have a happy ending/plot twist
Example Bank:
• She composed the soundtracks to several hit movies.
• The movie has a soundtrack featuring music by Strauss.
• The original Japanese soundtrack is included with English subtitles.
• a musical soundtrack conceived by Quincy Jones
soundtrack / ˈsaʊnd.træk / noun [ C ]
B2 the sounds, especially the music, of a film, or a separate recording of this:
The best thing about the film is its soundtrack.
soundtrack
[sa͟ʊndtræk]
soundtracks
also sound track
N-COUNT
The soundtrack of a film is its sound, speech, and music. It is used especially to refer to the music.
soundtrack
sound·track /ˈsaʊndˌtræk/ noun, pl -tracks [count] : the sounds and especially the music recorded for a movie
• The movie's soundtrack is now available on CD.
a strong pattern of sounds, words, or musical notes that is used in music, poetry, and dancing
He beat out a jazz rhythm on the drums.
rhythm
noun
a regular pattern of sounds that come again and again:
This music has a good rhythm.
rhythm
rhyth‧m W3 /ˈrɪðəm/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: rhythmus, from Greek, from rhein 'to flow']
1.a regular repeated pattern of sounds or movements ⇨ metre:
Drums are basic to African rhythm.
complicated dance rhythms
rhythm of
She started moving to the rhythm of the music.
the steady rhythm of her heartbeat
2. a regular pattern of changes:
the body’s natural rhythms
rhythm of
Jim liked the rhythm of agricultural life.
rhythm
rhythm [rhythm rhythms] [ˈrɪðəm] [ˈrɪðəm] noun uncountable, countable
1. a strong regular repeated pattern of sounds or movements
• to dance to the rhythm of the music
• music with a fast/slow/steady rhythm
• jazz rhythms
• He can't seem to play in rhythm.
• The boat rocked up and down in rhythm with the sea.
• the rhythm of her breathing
• abnormal heart rhythms
• a dancer with a natural sense of rhythm (= the ability to move in time to a fixed beat)
2. a regular pattern of changes or events
• the rhythm of the seasons
• biological/body rhythms
• Lack of sleep can upset your daily rhythm.
see also biorhythm
Word Origin:
mid 16th cent. (also originally in the sense ‘rhyme’): from French rhythme, or via Latin from Greek rhuthmos (related to rhein ‘to flow’).
Thesaurus:
rhythm noun
1. U, C
• The dancers moved to the rhythm of the music.
beat • • time • |music tempo • |BrE, technical metre • |AmE meter •
to the rhythm/beat
in rhythm/time
a slow/fast rhythm/beat/tempo
2. C
• the rhythm of the tides
cycle • • pattern •
a/an regular/irregular rhythm/cycle/pattern
a natural rhythm/cycle
break a rhythm/cycle/pattern
the rhythm/cycle of the seasons
Rhythm, cycle or pattern? Pattern is used especially about people's work and behaviour; cycle is used especially about events in the natural world; rhythm is used especially about how people's bodies adapt to changing conditions.
Example Bank:
• Cleaning up the house in the morning fell into an easy rhythm.
• He was snapping his fingers in rhythm.
• Her feet made a steady rhythm as she walked.
• Her feet made a steady rhythm on the pavement.
• Her pencil tapped out a staccato rhythm on the desk top.
• I found myself swaying to the rhythm of the music.
• I like music with a good rhythm.
• My body rhythms had not yet adapted to the ten-hour time difference.
• She soon settled into a regular rhythm.
• The movie follows the rhythms of a year on the farm.
• There's rhythm in her movements.
• Try to disrupt your opponent's rhythm.
• Williams is having trouble finding her rhythm on the serve.
• changes to our daily rhythms
• part of the natural rhythm of life
• the band's rhythm section
• the steady rhythm of his heartbeat
• Doctors discovered that he had an abnormal heart rhythm.
• He can't seem to play in rhythm.
• I listened to the steady rhythm of her breathing.
• I love these jazz rhythms.
• She has a natural sense of rhythm.
• This piece of music has a very fast rhythm.
rhythm / ˈrɪð. ə m / noun
B2 [ C or U ] a strong pattern of sounds, words, or musical notes that is used in music, poetry, and dancing:
He beat out a jazz rhythm on the drums.
I've got no sense of rhythm, so I'm a terrible dancer.
B2 [ C or U ] a regular movement or pattern of movements:
She was lulled to sleep by the gentle rhythm of the boat in the water.
She hit the ball so hard that her opponent had no chance to establish any rhythm in her game.
[ C ] a regular pattern of change, especially one that happens in nature:
the rhythm of the seasons
Breathing and sleeping are examples of biological rhythms in humans.
rhythm
[rɪ̱ðəm]
♦♦♦
rhythms
1) N-VAR A rhythm is a regular series of sounds or movements.
His music of that period fused the rhythms of Jazz with classical forms...
He had no sense of rhythm whatsoever...
She could hear the constant rhythm of his breathing.
2) N-COUNT A rhythm is a regular pattern of changes, for example changes in your body, in the seasons, or in the tides.
Begin to listen to your own body rhythms.
...the seasonal rhythm of the agricultural year.
rhythm
rhythm /ˈrɪðəm/ noun, pl rhythms
1 : a regular, repeated pattern of sounds or movements
[count]
• The music has a fast/slow/steady rhythm. [=beat]
• African/Caribbean rhythms
- often + of
• the rhythm of the poetry
• the rhythm of his breathing
• the rhythm of the tides
[noncount]
• the composer's use of jazz rhythm
• He can't play/dance in rhythm. = He has no sense of rhythm. [=he cannot play/dance at the correct speed to stay with the rhythm of the music]
2 [count] : a regular, repeated pattern of events, changes, activities, etc.
• She enjoyed the rhythms of country life.
• Travel can disrupt your body's daily/biological/circadian rhythm.
the other things, people, or parts that remain or that have not been mentioned
I've got two bright students, but the rest are average.
noun
1 the rest the part that is left or the ones that are left:
If you don't want the rest, I'll eat it.
I liked the beginning, but the rest of the film wasn't very good.
Jason watched TV and the rest of us went for a walk.
2 a time when you relax, sleep or do nothing:
After walking for an hour, we stopped for a rest.
rest
I. rest1 S1 W1 /rest/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑rest, ↑unrest, ↑restlessness; adjective: ↑restless, ↑rested, ↑restful; adverb: ↑restlessly, ↑restfully; verb: ↑rest]
[Sense 1, 8-9: Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: reste, from rester 'to remain', from Latin restare]
[Sense 2-7, 10-12: Language: Old English; Origin: 'rest, bed']
1. RELAXING [uncountable and countable] a period of time when you are not doing anything tiring and you can relax or sleep:
You look exhausted! Why don’t you take a rest?
2. the rest what is left after everything or everyone else has gone or been used, dealt with, or mentioned ⇨ remainder, leftovers:
You carry these two bags, and I’ll bring the rest.
Two of the attackers were killed, and the rest escaped.
the rest of
Does anyone want the rest of this pizza?
He’ll be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
GRAMMAR
Use a singular verb after the rest if you are referring to an amount of something or a thing:
▪ The rest of the money was used to pay for the wedding.
Use a plural verb if you are referring to a group of people or things:
▪ One child goes out of the room while the rest sit in a circle.
3. put/set sb’s mind at rest to make someone feel less anxious or worried:
Why don’t you talk to him, and put his mind at rest.
4. come to rest
a) to stop moving:
The aircraft skidded across the runway and finally came to rest in a cornfield.
b) if your eyes come to rest on something, you stop looking around and look at that one thing
come to rest on
My eyes came to rest on a photograph of a young man.
5. give it a rest spoken especially British English used to tell someone to stop talking about something because they are annoying you:
Give it a rest, Jack!
6. give something a rest spoken to stop doing an activity:
I gave the acting a rest for a while.
7. at rest
a) an expression meaning dead, and free from pain and problems
b) technical not moving
8. and all the rest of it British English spoken used at the end of a short list to mean other things of a similar type:
I was paying the rent and the bills and all the rest of it.
9. and the rest British English spoken used to emphasize in a humorous way that a number or amount is really much higher than someone thinks:
‘I’d say she’s about 40.’ ‘Yeah, and the rest!’
10. lay/put something to rest formal to stop people from worrying about or believing something:
The minister resigned, and the government hoped that the scandal would finally be laid to rest.
11. lay somebody to rest an expression meaning to bury someone, used when you want to avoid saying this directly:
She was laid to rest beside her husband.
12. MUSIC [countable]
a) a period of silence of a particular length in a piece of music
b) a written sign that shows how long the period of silence should be
⇨ ↑headrest, ↑footrest, ↑backrest, ⇨ and the rest is history at ↑history(10)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ have/take a rest I’m going upstairs to have a rest.
▪ get some rest You’d better get some rest if you’re driving back tonight.
▪ deserve a rest I think we deserve a rest after all that hard work.
■ adjectives
▪ a well-earned/well-deserved rest (=a rest after working hard) Our players are taking a well-earned rest before the start of the new season.
▪ a complete rest The doctor had advised a complete rest for a fortnight.
▪ a little/short rest He decided to stop and take a short rest.
▪ a long rest What I need is a nice long rest.
▪ a good rest (=a complete rest that relaxes you) I’m sure you need a good rest.
■ rest + NOUN
▪ a rest day/period The crew had a three hour rest period before their next flight.
rest / rest / noun (OTHER PART)
the rest [ S , + sing/pl verb ] A2 the other things, people, or parts that remain or that have not been mentioned:
I've got two bright students, but the rest are average.
I'll keep a third of the money and the rest is for you.
Have you got anything planned for the rest of the day?
rest
I [re̱st]QUANTIFIER USES
♦♦
1) QUANT: QUANT of def-n The rest is used to refer to all the parts of something or all the things in a group that remain or that you have not already mentioned.
It was an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life...
I'm going to throw a party, then invest the rest of the money...
He was unable to travel to Barcelona with the rest of the team.
PRON
Rest is also a pronoun. Only 55 per cent of the raw material is canned. The rest is thrown away, or fed to cows.
2) PHRASE (vagueness) You can add and the rest or all the rest of it to the end of a statement or list when you want to refer in a vague way to other things that are associated with the ones you have already mentioned. [SPOKEN]
...a man with nice clothes, a Range Rover and the rest...
And what about racism and all the rest of it?
Syn:
and so on, et ceteraII [re̱st]VERB AND NOUN USES
♦♦
rests, resting, rested
(Please look at category 18 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.)
1) VERB If you rest or if you rest your body, you do not do anything active for a time.
He's tired and exhausted, and has been advised to rest for two weeks...
[V n] Try to rest the injured limb as much as possible.
2) N-VAR If you get some rest or have a rest, you do not do anything active for a time.
`You're worn out, Laura,' he said. `Go home and get some rest.'...
After I've had a good rest, I'll tell you everything.
3) VERB If something such as a theory or someone's success rests on a particular thing, it depends on that thing. [FORMAL]
[V on/upon n/wh] Such a view rests on a number of incorrect assumptions...
[V on/upon n/wh] The long-term future of the country rests on how we teach our children.
Syn:
hang, depend
4) VERB If authority, a responsibility, or a decision rests with you, you have that authority or responsibility, or you are the one who will make that decision. [FORMAL]
[V with n] The judge said that `whether Miss Bergman wishes to admit it or not, the responsibility rests with her.'...
[V with n] The final decision rested with the President.
5) VERB If you rest something somewhere, you put it there so that its weight is supported.
[V n prep] He rested his arms on the back of the chair...
[V n prep] He rested one of his crutches against the rail.
Syn:
lean
6) V-ERG If something is resting somewhere, or if you are resting it there, it is in a position where its weight is supported.
[V prep/adv] His head was resting on her shoulder...
[V n prep/adv] He had been resting his head in his hands, deep in thought.
7) VERB If you rest on or against someone or something, you lean on them so that they support the weight of your body.
[V prep] He rested on his pickaxe for a while.
Syn:
lean
8) N-COUNT: usu n N A rest is an object that is used to support something, especially your head, arms, or feet.
When you are sitting, keep your elbow on the arm rest.
Syn:
support
9) VERB If your eyes rest on a particular person or object, you look directly at them, rather than somewhere else. [WRITTEN]
[V on/upon n] As she spoke, her eyes rested on her husband's face.
Syn:
settle
10) → See also rested
11) PHRASE: V inflects When an object that has been moving comes to rest, it finally stops. [FORMAL]
The plane had plowed a path through a patch of forest before coming to rest in a field.
Syn:
stop
12) PHRASE If you say that someone can rest easy, you mean that they don't need to worry about a particular situation.
In that case, we can rest easy. Gagnier is the most helpful superintendent they have.
13) PHRASE: V inflects If someone tells you to give something a rest, they want you to stop doing it because it annoys them or because they think it is harming you. [INFORMAL]
Give it a rest, will you? We're trying to get some sleep...
I think you ought to give football a rest for a time.
14) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that someone who has died is laid to rest, you mean that they are buried.
His dying wish was to be laid to rest at the church near his Somerset home.
15) PHRASE: V inflects If you lay something such as fears or rumours to rest or if you put them to rest, you succeed in proving that they are not true.
His speech should lay those fears to rest...
I am determined to put to rest these rumours that we are in financial trouble.
Syn:
allay
16) PHRASE: V inflects If someone refuses to let a subject rest, they refuse to stop talking about it, especially after they have been talking about it for a long time.
I am not prepared to let this matter rest...
Let it rest, Rachel. Leave her in peace.
Syn:
drop
17) PHRASE: V and N inflect To put someone's mind at rest or set their mind at rest means to tell them something that stops them worrying.
She was quick to put his mind at rest. `Mrs Barrett will be delighted to have your brothers back,' she said...
A brain scan last Friday finally set his mind at rest.
Syn:
reassure
18) rest assured → see assured
to rest on your laurels → see laurel
to rest in peace → see peace
2rest noun, pl rests
1 : a period of time in which you relax, sleep, or do nothing after you have been active or doing work
[noncount]
• a day of rest
• I was ordered to get some rest.
• None of us had/got much rest last night.
[count]
- usually singular
• I need a rest. [=break]
• The coach canceled practice to give his team a rest.
• a 10-minute rest period
- see also bed rest
2 [noncount] : a state in which there is no motion
• an object in a state of rest
3 [count] : an object that is designed to support or hold something
• a knife/spoon rest
• the violin's chin rest
- see also armrest, footrest, headrest
4 [count]
a : a period of silence between musical notes
b : a symbol in music that shows a period of silence between notes
at rest
1 : not moving
• The object is at rest. [=motionless]
2 : no longer living : dead
• After years of suffering, she is finally at rest.
3 : in a relaxed and comfortable state
• You can set/put your mind at rest. [=you can relax and stop worrying]
come to rest : to stop moving
• The ball came to rest against the curb.
• Her eyes came to rest on a mysterious man. [=she stopped looking around and looked at the mysterious man]
give it a rest informal
- used to tell someone to stop talking about something
• Oh, give it a rest! I don't want to hear it.
give (something) a rest informal : to stop doing or using (something)
• Hey, give the TV remote a rest and go outside to play!
lay (someone) to rest : to bury (someone who has died) - usually used as (be) laid to rest
• She was laid to rest in the church's graveyard.
lay/put to rest (something) or lay/put (something) to rest : to make someone stop thinking about or believing (something) by showing it is not true
• I want to lay/put to rest any lingering doubts about my decision.
- compare 1rest
1rest /ˈrɛst/ noun
the rest : the part that is left when other people or things are gone, used, etc.
• You bring these bags in, and I'll bring the rest. [=the remainder]
• Thanks for your help. I can handle the rest.
• Linda, Joan, Donna, and the rest
- often + of
• He would regret that decision for the rest of his life.
• She went shopping and spent the rest of her money on dinner.
• We finished the rest of the cake.
• He worked in the morning and relaxed (for) the rest of the day.
- compare 2rest
modern music and songs that are written in a style similar to that of traditional music
I enjoy listening to folk (music) .
folk
noun (plural) (British) (American folks)
people:
There are a lot of old folk living in this village.
folk
I. ˈfolk ˌmusic BrE AmE (also folk) noun [uncountable]
1. traditional music that has been played by ordinary people in a particular area for a long time
2. a style of popular music in which people sing and play ↑guitars, without any electronic equipment
folk [folk folks] noun, adjective [fəʊk] [foʊk]
noun
1. (also folks especially in NAmE) plural (informal) people in general
• ordinary working-class folk
• I'd like a job working with old folk or kids.
• the folks back home (= from the place where you come from)
2. folks plural (informal) a friendly way of addressing more than one person
• Well, folks, what are we going to do today?
3. folks plural (informal, especially NAmE) the members of your family, especially your parents
• How are your folks?
4. plural people from a particular country or region, or who have a particular way of life
• country folk
• townsfolk
• farming folk
5. (also ˈfolk music) uncountable music in the traditional style of a country or community
• a folk festival/concert
folk / fəʊk / / foʊk / noun [ U ] (MUSIC)
B1 modern music and songs that are written in a style similar to that of traditional music:
I enjoy listening to folk (music) .
folk singers
a folk club/festival
folk
[fo͟ʊk]
♦♦♦
folks
(folk can also be used as the plural form for meaning 1.)
1) N-PLURAL: usu with supp You can refer to people as folk or folks.
Country folk can tell you that there are certain places which animals avoid...
These are the folks from the local TV station.
...old folks.
Syn:
people
2) N-PLURAL: usu poss N You can refer to your close family, especially your mother and father, as your folks. [INFORMAL]
I've been avoiding my folks lately.
3) N-VOC You can use folks as a term of address when you are talking to several people. [INFORMAL]
`It's a question of money, folks,' I announced...
This is it, folks: the best record guide in the business.
4) ADJ: ADJ n Folk art and customs are traditional or typical of a particular community or nation.
...South American folk art.
...traditional Chinese folk medicine.
5) ADJ: ADJ n Folk music is music which is traditional or typical of a particular community or nation.
...Irish folk music.
N-UNCOUNT
Folk is also a noun. ...a variety of music including classical, jazz, and folk.
6) ADJ: ADJ n Folk can be used to describe something that relates to the beliefs and opinions of ordinary people.
Jack was a folk hero in the Greenwich Village bars...
Folk psychology comes closer to the obvious truth than the most sophisticated theories.
Syn:
popular
1folk /ˈfoʊk/ noun
1 folks [plural]
a chiefly US informal : people in general
• Folks say that house is haunted.
• Some folks think the law should be changed.
b
- used to talk to a group of people in a friendly and informal way
• Do you folks need any help?
• That's all for today, folks—see you tomorrow!
2 or chiefly US folks [plural] informal : a certain kind of people
• a home for old folks
• He doesn't much care for city folk. [=people who live in a city]
• country folk
• the distinctive speech of folks from the South
3 folks [plural] chiefly US informal : family members
• I'll be spending the holidays with my folks. especially; : parents
• His folks gave him everything a kid could want.
4 [noncount] : folk music
• My favorite kind of music is folk.
describes music that is considered to be part of a long especially formal tradition and to be of lasting value
Do you prefer classical music like Mozart and Mahler, or pop?
classical
adjective
1 in a style that people have used for a long time because they think it is good same meaning traditional:
classical dance
opposite modern
2 connected with ancient Greece or Rome:
classical Greek architecture
3 classical music is serious and important:
I prefer pop music to classical music.
classical
clas‧si‧cal W3 AC /ˈklæsɪkəl/ BrE AmE adjective
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: classicus; ↑classic1]
1. belonging to a traditional style or set of ideas
classical ballet/dance etc
the classical theory of relativity
2. relating to music that is considered to be important and serious and that has a value that continues for a long time
classical music/musician/composer etc
a leading classical violinist
a classical repertoire
3. relating to the language, literature etc of ancient Greece and Rome:
classical literature
a classical scholar
classical mythology
4. (also classic) typical of a particular thing or situation:
the classical argument against democracy
classical
clas·sic·al AW [ˈklæsɪkl] [ˈklæsɪkl] adjective usually before noun
1. widely accepted and used for a long time; traditional in style or idea
• the classical economics of Smith and Ricardo
• the classical theory of unemployment
• classical and modern ballet
2. connected with or influenced by the culture of ancient Greece and Rome
• classical studies
• a classical scholar (= an expert in Latin and Greek)
• classical architecture
3. (of music) written in a Western musical tradition, usually using an established form (for example a symphony ) and not played on electronic instruments. Classical music is generally considered to be serious and to have a lasting value
• He plays classical music, as well as pop and jazz.
• a classical composer/violinist
4. = classic
• These are classical examples of food allergy.
5. (of a language) ancient in its form and no longer used in a spoken form
• classical Arabic
6. simple and attractive
• the classical elegance of the design
Derived Word: classically
Word Origin:
[classical classically] late 16th cent. (in the sense ‘outstanding of its kind’): from Latin classicus ‘belonging to a class’ (later ‘of the highest class’, from classis ‘a division of the Roman people, a grade, or a class of pupils’) + -al.
Collocations:
Music
Listening
listen to/enjoy/love/be into music/classical music/jazz/pop/hip-hop, etc.
listen to the radio/an MP3 player/a CD
put on/play a CD/a song/some music
turn down/up the music/radio/volume/bass
go to a concert/festival/gig/performance/recital
copy/burn/rip music/a CD/a DVD
download music/an album/a song/a demo/a video
Playing
play a musical instrument/the piano/percussion/a note/a riff/the melody/a concerto/a duet/by ear
sing an anthem/a ballad/a solo/an aria/the blues/in a choir/soprano/alto/tenor/bass/out of tune
hum a tune/a theme tune/a lullaby
accompany a singer/choir
strum a chord/guitar
Performing
form/start/get together/join/quit/leave a band
give a performance/concert/recital
do a concert/recital/gig
play a concert/gig/festival/venue
perform (BrE) at/in a concert/(especially NAmE) a concert
appear at a festival/live
go on/embark on a (world) tour
Recording
write/compose music/a ballad/a melody/a tune/a song/a theme song/an opera/a symphony
land/get/sign a record deal
be signed to/be dropped by a record company
record/release/put out an album/a single/a CD
be top of/top the charts
get to/go straight to/go straight in at/enter the charts at number one
Example Bank:
• classical and modern ballet/dance
classical / ˈklæs.ɪ.k ə l / adjective (MUSIC)
A2 describes music that is considered to be part of a long especially formal tradition and to be of lasting value:
Do you prefer classical music like Mozart and Mahler, or pop?
specialized describes a style of music written in Europe between about 1750 and 1830:
The works of Haydn and Mozart belong to the classical period.
classical
[klæ̱sɪk(ə)l]
♦♦♦
1) ADJ: usu ADJ n You use classical to describe something that is traditional in form, style, or content.
Fokine did not change the steps of classical ballet; instead he found new ways of using them.
...the scientific attitude of Smith and earlier classical economists.
Ant:
modern
2) ADJ: usu ADJ n Classical music is music that is considered to be serious and of lasting value.
3) ADJ: usu ADJ n Classical is used to describe things which relate to the ancient Greek or Roman civilizations.
...the healers of ancient Egypt and classical Greece...
It's a technological achievement that is unrivalled in the classical world.
...classical architecture.
4) ADJ: ADJ n A classical language is a form of a language that was used in ancient times and is now no longer used, or only used in formal writing.
...a line of classical Arabic poetry.
clas·si·cal /ˈklæsɪkəl/ adj
1 [more ~; most ~] : of a kind that has been respected for a long time
• the classical [=traditional] idea of beauty
• classical ballet
2 : of or relating to the ancient Greek and Roman world and especially to its language, literature, art, etc.
• the classical [=ancient] and medieval worlds
• classical literature/art
• the classical tradition
• a classical scholar
3 : relating to music in a European tradition that includes opera and symphony and that is generally considered more serious than other kinds of music
• classical music/composers
4 : teaching ideas about literature, art, science, etc., rather than practical skills
• a classical curriculum/education
5 : very typical : classic
• a classical example of propaganda
• the classical symptoms of the disease
a type of South American music with a strong beat, or a dance done to this music
A band played salsa, and spectators danced wildly.
salsa
sal‧sa /ˈsælsə $ ˈsɑːl-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[Date: 1900-2000; Language: Spanish; Origin: 'sauce', from Latin; ⇨ ↑sauce]
1. a type of Latin American dance music
2. a sauce made from onions, tomatoes, and ↑chillies, that you put on Spanish or Mexican food
salsa [salsa salsas] [ˈsælsə] [ˈsɑːlsə] noun
1. uncountable a type of Latin American dance music
2. countable, uncountable a dance performed to this music
3. uncountable a sauce eaten with Mexican food
Word Origin:
Spanish, literally sauce, extended in American Spanish to denote the dance.
salsa / ˈsæl.sə / / ˈsɑːl- / noun [ S or U ] (MUSIC/DANCE)
a type of South American music with a strong beat, or a dance done to this music
salsa
[sæ̱lsə, AM sɑ͟ːlsə]
salsas
1) N-MASS Salsa is a hot, spicy sauce made from onions and tomatoes, usually eaten with Mexican or Spanish food.
2) N-UNCOUNT Salsa is a type of dance music especially popular in Latin America.
A band played salsa, and spectators danced wildly.
salsa
sal·sa /ˈsɑːlsə/ noun, pl -sas
1 : a spicy sauce made with tomatoes, onions, and hot peppers that is commonly served with Mexican food
[noncount]
• a jar of salsa
• chips and salsa
[count]
• a delicious salsa
2 [count, noncount]
a : a type of popular Latin-American music
• The band was playing salsa.
• a salsa band
b : dancing that is done to salsa music
• We're taking classes in salsa.
a type of modern music developed by black people in the US, with a rhythm in which the strong notes often come before the beat
a jazz orchestra
jazz
noun (no plural)
a kind of music with a strong beat:
a jazz band
jazz
I. jazz1 /dʒæz/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[Date: 1900-2000; Origin: Perhaps from Bantu jas 'to cause to dance, excite']
1. a type of music that has a strong beat and parts for performers to play alone:
a jazz band
a jazz club
modern jazz
2. and all that jazz spoken and things like that:
I’m fed up with work, meetings, and all that jazz.
II. jazz2 BrE AmE verb
jazz something ↔ up phrasal verb
informal to make something more attractive or exciting:
Jazz up your everyday meals with our new range of seasonings.
jazz
jazz [jazz jazzes jazzed jazzing] noun, verb [dʒæz] [dʒæz]
noun uncountable
a type of music with strong rhythms, in which the players often improvise (= make up the music as they are playing), originally created by African American musicians
• a jazz band/club
• traditional/modern jazz
• jazz musicians
see also acid jazz
Word Origin:
early 20th cent.: of unknown origin.
Culture:
jazz
Jazz is one of the greatest forms of music originating in the US. The names of its stars are known around the world. Most people have heard of stars like Ella Fitzgerald, ‚Count’ Basie, ‚Duke’ Ellington and Louis Armstrong. Wynton Marsalis, who plays in the traditional style, is one of the best-known jazz musicians today.
Jazz was begun in the South by African Americans. Many of its rhythms came from the work songs and spirituals (= religious songs) of black slaves. New Orleans street bands first made jazz popular. Early forms of jazz created at the beginning of the 20th century were ragtime and the blues. Ragtime musicians included the singer ‚Jelly Roll’ Morton and the composer and piano player Scott Joplin. Famous blues singers included Bessie Smith and later Billie Holiday. Dixieland developed from ragtime and the blues and made a feature of improvisation (= making up the music as it is being played), especially on the trumpet and saxophone. Dixieland stars included Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet.
In the 1920s many African Americans moved north, taking jazz with them, and Chicago and New York became centres for the music. This was the beginning of the big band era. In the 1930s swing music came into fashion and people danced to jazz. Radio and the new recording industry helped to make it even more popular. The big bands were led by Basie, Ellington, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller, and ‚the King of Swing’, Benny Goodman. In the 1940s there were new styles such as bebop, developed by ‚Dizzy’ Gillespie, Charlie ‚Bird’ Parker and Thelonious Monk. Freer forms like progressive jazz and free jazz developed in the 1950s with stars including Stan Getz, John Coltrane and Dave Brubeck. Cool jazz followed in the 1960s, led by Getz and Miles Davis. More recent styles have included funky jazz, jazz-rock and hip-hop jazz.
In Britain jazz attracts a small but enthusiastic audience. The height of its popularity was in the 1940s and 1950s, when large crowds gathered to hear big bands. British jazz has always been heavily influenced by US jazz. In the 1960s pop and rock music replaced jazz as the music of the young generation. There are now few jazz bands, although smaller combos (= groups) continue to play a wide range of trad (= traditional), bebop, cool and avant-garde jazz. The most famous British jazz musicians have included Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Laine, George Melly, Humphrey Lyttleton and Courtney Pine. The home of jazz in Britain is Ronnie Scott's club in London.
Collocations:
Music
Listening
listen to/enjoy/love/be into music/classical music/jazz/pop/hip-hop, etc.
listen to the radio/an MP3 player/a CD
put on/play a CD/a song/some music
turn down/up the music/radio/volume/bass
go to a concert/festival/gig/performance/recital
copy/burn/rip music/a CD/a DVD
download music/an album/a song/a demo/a video
Playing
play a musical instrument/the piano/percussion/a note/a riff/the melody/a concerto/a duet/by ear
sing an anthem/a ballad/a solo/an aria/the blues/in a choir/soprano/alto/tenor/bass/out of tune
hum a tune/a theme tune/a lullaby
accompany a singer/choir
strum a chord/guitar
Performing
form/start/get together/join/quit/leave a band
give a performance/concert/recital
do a concert/recital/gig
play a concert/gig/festival/venue
perform (BrE) at/in a concert/(especially NAmE) a concert
appear at a festival/live
go on/embark on a (world) tour
Recording
write/compose music/a ballad/a melody/a tune/a song/a theme song/an opera/a symphony
land/get/sign a record deal
be signed to/be dropped by a record company
record/release/put out an album/a single/a CD
be top of/top the charts
get to/go straight to/go straight in at/enter the charts at number one
Example Bank:
• the rising stars of the New York jazz scene
Idiom: and all that jazz
Derived: jazz something up
jazz / dʒæz / noun [ U ]
A2 a type of modern music developed by black people in the US, with a rhythm in which the strong notes often come before the beat. Jazz is usually improvised (= invented as it is played) .
jazz
[ʤæ̱z]
♦♦♦
jazzes, jazzing, jazzed
N-UNCOUNT: oft N n
Jazz is a style of music that was invented by African American musicians in the early part of the twentieth century. Jazz music has very strong rhythms and often involves improvisation.
The pub has live jazz on Sundays.
...the great American jazz pianist George Shearing.
jazz
2jazz verb jazz·es; jazzed; jazz·ing
jazz up [phrasal verb] jazz up (something) or jazz (something) up informal : to make (something) more interesting, exciting, or attractive
• The company wants to jazz up its image.
• She tried to jazz the room up with a new rug.
a type of popular music in which the subject of the songs is often politics or society and the words are spoken rather than sung
hip hop
ˈhip hop BrE AmE, hip-hop noun [uncountable]
1. a type of popular dance music with a regular heavy beat and spoken words ⇨ rap
2. a type of popular ↑culture that began among young African-Americans in big cities, which includes hip hop music, dancing, and ↑graffiti art
hip hop
ˈhip hop noun uncountable
1. a type of popular music with spoken words and a steady beat played on electronic instruments, originally played by young African Americans
2. the culture of the young African Americans and others who enjoy this type of music, including special styles of art, dancing, dress, etc.
Word Origin:
[hip hop] 1980s: reduplication probably based on hip ‘fashionable’.
ˈ hip-hop / ˈhɪp.hɒp / / -hɑːp / noun [ U ]
A2 a type of popular music in which the subject of the songs is often politics or society and the words are spoken rather than sung
hip-hop
N-UNCOUNT: oft N n
Hip-hop is a form of popular culture which started among young black people in the United States in the 1980s. It includes rap music and graffiti art.
hip-hop
hip–hop /ˈhɪpˌhɑːp/ noun [noncount] : rap music
• I listen to hip-hop and reggae.
• a hip-hop artist also; : the culture associated with rap music
modern popular music, usually with a strong beat, created with electrical or electronic equipment, and easy to listen to and remember
a pop concert
noun
1 (no plural) (also pop music) modern music that is most popular among young people:
What's your favourite pop group?
a pop singer
2 (plural pops) a short sharp sound:
The cork came out of the bottle with a loud pop.
II. pop2 S3 W3 BrE AmE noun
[Sense 1,7: Date: 1800-1900; Origin: popular]
[Sense 2-5: Date: 1400-1500; Origin: ⇨ ↑pop1]
[Sense 6: Date: 1800-1900; Origin: poppa]
1. MUSIC [uncountable] modern music that is popular, especially with young people, and usually consists of simple tunes with a strong beat ⇨ pop music:
a new pop record
a pop star
a pop festival
2. SOUND [countable] a sudden short sound like a small explosion:
the pop of a champagne cork
The balloon went pop (=made a sudden short sound).
3. DRINK [uncountable and countable] informal a sweet drink with bubbles but no alcohol, or a glass or can of this drink SYN soda:
a bottle of pop
Can you get me a pop while you’re up?
4. take a pop at somebody British English informal to criticize someone in public:
When you’re a professional footballer, you expect people to take a pop at you now and again.
5. $7/$50/25¢ etc a pop American English spoken used when each of something costs a particular amount of money:
Tickets for the show are a hundred bucks a pop.
6. FATHER [countable] (also Pops) American English old-fashioned father – used especially when you are talking to your father
7. pops American English ↑classical music that most people know, especially people who do not usually like this type of music:
a pops concert
the Boston Pops Orchestra
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ father a male parent: My father’s a doctor. | He’s a father of three.
▪ dad informal used when talking to your father, or about someone's father: Can I borrow your car, Dad? | Her dad retired ten years ago. | My dad was in the army.
▪ daddy a name for father, which is used especially by young children or when you are talking to young children: Where’s your daddy? | Daddy, can I have a drink, please?
▪ pop American English informal (also pa old-fashioned) used when talking to your father, or about someone's father: I helped Pop fix the gate this morning. | Can I help, Pa? | He is in New York with his Pop's credit card, eating all the ice cream and pizza the city has to offer.
▪ papa old-fashioned informal used when talking to your father, or about someone's father: Papa had forbidden me to go. | She saw her papa 's face change at this news.
▪ sb’s old man informal someone's father – used when talking about him in a way that is not very respectful: His old man wouldn’t let him use the car.
▪ stepfather (also stepdad informal) a man who is married to your mother, who is not your father but often acts as your parent: Her stepfather is really nice.
pop
pop [pop pops popped popping] noun, verb, adjective, adverb [pɒp] [pɑːp]
noun
MUSIC
1. (also ˈpop music) uncountable popular music of the sort that has been popular since the 1950s, usually with a strong rhythm and simple tunes, often contrasted with rock, soul and other forms of popular music
• rock, pop and soul
SOUND
2. countable a short sharp explosive sound
• The cork came out of the bottle with a loud pop.
DRINK
3. uncountable (old-fashioned, informal) a sweet fizzy drink (= with bubbles) that is not alcoholic
FATHER
4. singular (informal, especially NAmE) used as a word for ‘father’, especially as a form of address
• Hi, Pop!
Word Origin:
n. senses 3 to 4 and v. adv. and late Middle English ‘a blow, knock’ ‘to strike’
n. sense 1 and adj. late 19th cent. popular
n. sense 2 mid 19th cent. poppa
Collocations:
Music
Listening
listen to/enjoy/love/be into music/classical music/jazz/pop/hip-hop, etc.
listen to the radio/an MP3 player/a CD
put on/play a CD/a song/some music
turn down/up the music/radio/volume/bass
go to a concert/festival/gig/performance/recital
copy/burn/rip music/a CD/a DVD
download music/an album/a song/a demo/a video
Playing
play a musical instrument/the piano/percussion/a note/a riff/the melody/a concerto/a duet/by ear
sing an anthem/a ballad/a solo/an aria/the blues/in a choir/soprano/alto/tenor/bass/out of tune
hum a tune/a theme tune/a lullaby
accompany a singer/choir
strum a chord/guitar
Performing
form/start/get together/join/quit/leave a band
give a performance/concert/recital
do a concert/recital/gig
play a concert/gig/festival/venue
perform (BrE) at/in a concert/(especially NAmE) a concert
appear at a festival/live
go on/embark on a (world) tour
Recording
write/compose music/a ballad/a melody/a tune/a song/a theme song/an opera/a symphony
land/get/sign a record deal
be signed to/be dropped by a record company
record/release/put out an album/a single/a CD
be top of/top the charts
get to/go straight to/go straight in at/enter the charts at number one
Example Bank:
• The cork came out with a loud pop.
• The eight compilations range from teen pop to classical.
Idioms: go pop ▪ have a pop ▪ pop the question ▪ pop your clogs ▪ … a pop
Derived: pop off ▪ pop something on
pop / pɒp / / pɑːp / noun [ U ] ( formal popular music ) (MUSIC)
A2 modern popular music, usually with a strong beat, created with electrical or electronic equipment, and easy to listen to and remember:
pop music
a pop concert/song
What do you want to listen to - jazz, classical or pop?
The song reached No. 32 in the pop charts .
She wants to be a pop singer/star like Madonna.
pop
[pɒ̱p]
♦♦♦
pops, popping, popped
1) N-UNCOUNT: oft N n Pop is modern music that usually has a strong rhythm and uses electronic equipment.
...the perfect combination of Caribbean rhythms, European pop, and American soul...
Which great British pop band had a hit with `In the Army Now'?
...a life-size poster of a pop star...
I know nothing about pop music.
2) N-UNCOUNT You can refer to fizzy drinks such as lemonade as pop. [mainly BRIT, INFORMAL]
He still visits the village shop for buns and fizzy pop.
...glass pop bottles.(in AM, usually use soda pop)
3) N-COUNT; SOUND Pop is used to represent a short sharp sound, for example the sound made by bursting a balloon or by pulling a cork out of a bottle.
Each corn kernel will make a loud pop when cooked...
His back tyre just went pop on a motorway.
4) VERB If something pops, it makes a short sharp sound.
He untwisted the wire off the champagne bottle, and the cork popped and shot to the ceiling.
5) VERB If your eyes pop, you look very surprised or excited when you see something. [INFORMAL]
My eyes popped at the sight of the rich variety of food on show.
6) VERB If you pop something somewhere, you put it there quickly. [BRIT, INFORMAL]
[V n prep/adv] Marianne got a couple of mugs from the dresser and popped a teabag into each of them...
[V n prep/adv] He plucked a purple grape from the bunch and popped it in his mouth.
7) VERB If you pop somewhere, you go there for a short time. [BRIT, INFORMAL]
[V adv/prep] He does pop down to the pub, but he seldom stays longer than an hour...
[V adv/prep] Wendy popped in for a quick bite to eat on Monday night.
8) N-FAMILY Some people call their father pop. [mainly AM, INFORMAL]
I looked at Pop and he had big tears in his eyes...
Yes, Pop, I made a big mistake - you and Mark made me realize that.(in BRIT, usually use dad)
9) to pop the question → see question
pop
5pop noun, pl pops US informal + old-fashioned
1 [count] : a person's father - usually singular
• Hey Pop, can I borrow one of your ties?
• My pop likes watching football.
2 pops often humorous
- used as a form of address for an old man
• Need help with that package, pops?
- see also mom-and-pop
- compare 2pop, 4pop
4pop noun, pl pops
1 [noncount] : music that is popular
• The radio station plays pop.
2 Pops [noncount] US : an orchestra that plays popular music - used in names
• the Boston/Cincinnati Pops
- compare 2pop 5pop
3pop adj always used before a noun
1 : of or relating to things that are popular and often talked about on television, in newspapers, etc.
• pop culture/psychology/fiction
2 : of or relating to popular music
• pop rock
• a pop artist/singer/star [=a person who sings popular music]
2pop noun, pl pops
1 [count] : a short, loud sound
• We heard a loud pop when the lights went out.
2 informal : soda pop
[noncount]
• a bottle of pop [=soda]
[count]
• Two pops, please.
3 [count] baseball : pop fly
a pop US informal : for each one : apiece
• The tickets are selling at $50 a pop.
take a pop at informal
1 : to try to hit (someone)
• Some drunk took a pop at me.
2 chiefly Brit : to criticize (someone) publicly
• He took a pop at his rival.
- compare 4pop 5pop
a type of popular music with a strong, loud beat that is usually played with electric guitars and drums
a rock star
rock
verb (rocks, rocking, rocked )
to move slowly backwards and forwards or from side to side; to make somebody or something do this:
The boat was rocking gently on the lake.
I rocked the baby until she went to sleep.
noun
1 (no plural) the very hard material that is in the ground and in mountains
2 (plural rocks) a big piece of rock:
The ship hit the rocks.
3 (no plural) (also rock music) a sort of modern music with a strong rhythm:
a rock concert
rock
I. rock1 S2 W2 /rɒk $ rɑːk/ BrE AmE noun
[Sense 1, 3-10: Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old North French; Origin: roque, from Vulgar Latin rocca]
[Sense 2: Date: 1900-2000; Origin: ⇨ ↑rock2]
1. STONE
a) [uncountable] the hard substance that forms the main surface of the Earth ⇨ stone:
To build the tunnel, they had to cut through 500 feet of solid rock.
Most of the country is desert and bare rock.
massive rock formations (=shapes made naturally from rock)
ancient dark volcanic rock
b) [countable] a piece of rock, especially a large one that sticks up from the ground:
Jack stood on a rock for a better view.
During the storm a ship had been driven onto the rocks (=a line of rocks under or next to the sea).
2. MUSIC [uncountable] (also rock music) a type of popular modern music with a strong loud beat, played using ↑guitars and drums
rock band/group
Komuro formed a rock band with some friends while in college.
the late rock star, Freddie Mercury
The stadium has hosted numerous rock concerts. ⇨ ↑hard rock, ⇨ punk rock at ↑punk(1)
3. (as) solid/steady as a rock
a) very strongly built or well supported and not likely to break or fall:
a large sofa, solid as a rock
b) someone who is as solid or steady as a rock is very strong and calm in difficult situations and you can depend on them ⇨ ↑rock-solid
4. [singular] someone who always gives you support and who you can depend on:
My sister has always been my rock.
5. be on the rocks informal a relationship or business that is on the rocks is having a lot of problems and is likely to fail soon SYN in trouble:
I’m afraid Tim’s marriage is on the rocks.
6. scotch/vodka etc on the rocks informal an alcoholic drink that is served with ice but no water
7. SWEET FOOD [uncountable] British English a hard sweet made in long round pieces:
a stick of rock
8. DRUG
a) [uncountable] a very pure form of the illegal drug ↑cocaine that some people use for pleasure
b) [countable] a small amount of this drug
9. be (stuck) between a rock and a hard place to have a choice between two things, both of which are unpleasant or dangerous
10. get your rocks off informal not polite if a man gets his rocks off, he has sex
11. JEWEL [countable usually plural] old-fashioned informal a ↑diamond or other jewel
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ solid rock Steps had been carved out of the solid rock.
▪ bare rock (=not covered by soil) Here there was only bare rock and gravel.
▪ volcanic rock The fossils are sandwiched between two layers of volcanic rock.
▪ molten rock (=rock that is so hot it is liquid) Molten rock flowed into these cracks.
■ rock + NOUN
▪ a rock formation There are marvellous views of impressive rock formations.
■ verbs
▪ rock forms/is formed From the texture of the rock we can tell how it was formed.
▪ something erodes rock (=it gradually removes the surface of the rock) Rainwater drained away, forming streams and rivers that began to erode the rock.
▪ rock erodes (away) (=its surface is gradually removed because of the action of water, wind etc ) The rocks had eroded away over the years.
■ phrases
▪ a lump/piece of rock His leg was trapped under a large lump of rock.
▪ a layer of rock You can see six layers of rock in the cliff.
▪ an outcrop of rock (=a mass of rock that sticks up above the ground) The gulls nested on a outcrop of rock.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ rock a piece of the hard substance that forms the main surface of the Earth. In British English, rocks are too large to pick up, but in American English, they can either be large or small: the rocks along the riverbanks
▪ stone a small piece of rock, found on the ground or near the surface of the ground. Speakers of American English are more likely to use the word rock than stone: The children were throwing stones into the water.
▪ boulder a large round piece of rock: She climbed over a few boulders at the edge of the sea.
▪ pebble a small smooth stone found especially on a beach or on the bottom of a river: The beach was covered with smooth white pebbles.
▪ fossil a rock which has the shape of an animal or plant that lived many thousands of years ago: fossils of early reptiles
II. rock2 BrE AmE verb
[Language: Old English; Origin: roccian]
1. [intransitive and transitive] to move gently backwards and forwards or from side to side, or to make something do this ⇨ sway:
She covered her face, rocking to and fro in her grief.
The waves rocked the boat from side to side.
Paul sat gently rocking the child in his arms.
Jim rocked with laughter when he heard what had happened.
2. [transitive]
a) to make the people in a place or organization feel very shocked – used in news reports SYN shake:
The scandal rocked the nation.
b) to make the future of something seem less certain or steady than it was before, especially because of problems or changes SYN shake:
Another financial blow has rocked the industry.
The theory rocked the foundations of social and moral life.
3. rock the boat informal to cause problems for other members of a group by criticizing something or trying to change the way something is done:
He kept his feelings to himself, not wanting to rock the boat.
4. [transitive] if an explosion or ↑earthquake rocks an area, it makes it shake:
Residents had only a few minutes to escape before the blast rocked their houses.
5. somebody/something rocks spoken informal said to show that you strongly approve of someone or something
6. rock sb’s world informal to cause someone to think about something or someone in a completely new way
rock
rock [rock rocks rocked rocking] noun, verb [rɒk] [rɑːk]
noun
HARD MATERIAL
1. uncountable, countable the hard solid material that forms part of the surface of the earth and some other planets
• They drilled through several layers of rock to reach the oil.
• a cave with striking rock formations (= shapes made naturally from rock)
• The tunnel was blasted out of solid rock.
• volcanic/igneous/sedimentary, etc. rocks
2. countable a mass of rock standing above the earth's surface or in the sea/ocean
• the Rock of Gibraltar
• The ship crashed into the infamous Sker Point rocks and broke into three pieces.
3. countable a large single piece of rock
• They clambered over the rocks at the foot of the cliff.
• The sign said ‘Danger: falling rocks’.
STONE
4. countable (NAmE) a small stone
• Protesters pelted the soldiers with rocks.
MUSIC
5. (also ˈrock music) uncountable a type of loud popular music, developed in the 1960s, with a strong beat played on electric guitars and drums
• punk rock
• a rock band/star
SWEET/CANDY
6. (BrE) uncountable a type of hard sweet/candy made in long sticks, often sold in places where people go on holiday/vacation by the sea/ocean
• a stick of Brighton rock
JEWEL
7. countable, usually plural (NAmE, informal) a precious stone, especially a diamond
PERSON
8. countable, usually singular a person who is emotionally strong and who you can rely on
• He is my rock.
more at (as) steady as a rock at steady adj.
Word Origin:
n. senses 1 to 4 and n. senses 6 to 7 Middle English Old French rocque medieval Latin rocca
n. sense 5 and v. late Old English roccian Germanic ‘remove, move’ Dutch rukken ‘jerk, tug’ German rücken ‘move’
Culture:
Rock (= the sweet) is usually flavoured with peppermint and coloured (usually bright pink) on the outside. In Britain, rock is sold especially in seaside towns, and has the name of the town all through the length of the stick on the inside.
See also Edinburgh rock
Culture:
Rock music developed in the 1960s from rock and roll. Rock later developed into forms such as folk rock and heavy metal.
Thesaurus:
rock noun U, C
• They drilled through several layers of rock to reach the oil.
stone • • boulder • • pebble •
solid rock/stone
throw a rock/stone/boulder/pebble
Rock or stone? Rock U is still a part of the ground; stone U has been dug up from the ground:
• houses built of stone
¤ houses built of rock:
• the rock walls of the cave
¤ the stone walls of the cave In British English people throw stones and a rock is sth too big to pick up and throw. In American English rock is the usual word for a small piece of rock that you can pick up.
Example Bank:
• A great rock jutted out into the water.
• Ahead the vegetation broke into bare rock.
• Children were looking for crabs in the rock pools.
• Lars taught me to skip rocks.
• Ryan changed the radio to a rock station.
• She was a rock chick through and through.
• Signs warn of the perils of falling rock.
• Solid rock is broken down by weathering.
• The castle is perched on a massive outcrop of rock.
• The path had been blocked by a rock fall.
• The river runs between walls of sheer rock.
• The rocks were slippery as I tried to climb them.
• They used to throw rocks at neighborhood dogs.
• You slept like a rock last night.
• an avalanche of loose rock
• influential rock critics
• one of the biggest bands on the rock circuit
• rocks that formed beneath the sea
• the king of rock and roll
• Demonstrators threw rocks at the police.
• a sea cave with striking rock formations
• volcanic/igneous/sedimentary rocks
Idioms: between a rock and a hard place ▪ get your rocks off ▪ on the rocks ▪ rock the boat
rock / rɒk / / rɑːk / noun [ U ] (MUSIC)
A2 a type of popular music with a strong, loud beat that is usually played with electric guitars and drums:
a rock group
a rock star
rock
[rɒ̱k]
♦♦
rocks, rocking, rocked
1) N-UNCOUNT Rock is the hard substance which the Earth is made of.
The hills above the valley are bare rock...
A little way below the ridge was an outcrop of rock that made a rough shelter.
2) N-COUNT A rock is a large piece of rock that sticks up out of the ground or the sea, or that has broken away from a mountain or a cliff.
She sat cross-legged on the rock.
...the sound of the sea crashing against the rocks...
He and two friends were climbing a rock face when they heard cries for help.
3) N-COUNT A rock is a piece of rock that is small enough for you to pick up.
She bent down, picked up a rock and threw it into the trees.
Syn:
stone
4) V-ERG When something rocks or when you rock it, it moves slowly and regularly backwards and forwards or from side to side.
[V prep/adv] His body rocked from side to side with the train...
[V prep/adv] He stood a few moments, rocking back and forwards on his heels...
[V n] She sat on the porch and rocked the baby. [Also V]
5) V-ERG If an explosion or an earthquake rocks a building or an area, it causes the building or area to shake. [JOURNALISM]
[V n] Three people were injured yesterday when an explosion rocked one of Britain's best known film studios.
[V n] ...a country that's rocked by dozens of earthquakes every year...
As the buildings rocked under heavy shell-fire, he took refuge in the cellars.
Syn:
shake
6) VERB If an event or a piece of news rocks a group or society, it shocks them or makes them feel less secure. [JOURNALISM]
[V n] His death rocked the fashion business.
[V n] ...the latest scandal to rock the monarchy...
[V n] Wall Street was rocked by the news and shares fell 4.3 per cent by the end of trading.
Syn:
shake
7) N-UNCOUNT: oft N n Rock is loud music with a strong beat that is usually played and sung by a small group of people using instruments such as electric guitars and drums.
He once told an interviewer that he didn't even like rock music.
...a rock concert.
...famous rock stars.
8) N-UNCOUNT Rock is a sweet that is made in long, hard sticks and is often sold in towns by the sea in Britain.
...a stick of rock.
9) PHRASE: PHR after v If you are caught between a rock and a hard place, you are in a difficult situation where you have to choose between two equally unpleasant courses of action.
10) PHRASE: usu n PHR If you have an alcoholic drink such as whisky on the rocks, you have it with ice cubes in it.
I could do with a Scotch on the rocks.
Syn:
with ice
11) PHRASE: v-link PHR If something such as a marriage or a business is on the rocks, it is experiencing very severe difficulties and looks likely to end very soon.
She confided to her mother six months ago that her marriage was on the rocks...
Our film industry is on the rocks.
12) to rock the boat → see boat
rock
3rock noun [noncount] : a kind of popular music with a strong beat that is played on instruments that are made louder electronically
• My favorite types of music are jazz and rock.
- often used before another noun
• rock music
• a rock concert/band/star
- see also hard rock, soft rock
- compare 2rock
2rock noun, pl rocks
1 a [noncount] : the hard, solid material that the surface of the Earth is made of
• They drilled through several layers of solid rock.
• Moss can grow on bare rock.
• The miners made a tunnel through the rock.
• volcanic rock
- often used before another noun
• The mountain had many amazing rock formations.
- see also bedrock, sheetrock
b [count] : a piece of rock
• a flat rock
• (US) We threw rocks [=stones] into the water.
• a pile of rocks
c [count] : a large piece of rock that sticks up from the surface of the Earth
• She climbed the rock.
• The ship crashed into the rocks.
2
- used in phrases to say that something is very hard, steady, etc.
• This bread is (as) hard as a rock. = The bread is rock-hard. [=the bread is very hard]
• Her hand was steady as a rock. [=her hand was very steady]
• His muscles are solid as a rock. [=very strong/solid]
• The frozen chicken is rock-solid.
• The beat of the drum was rock-steady.
3 [singular] informal
a : a strong person who can be relied on
• We could always count on him—he was our rock.
b : someone whose ideas, values, ways of doing things, etc., do not change
• Once she makes up her mind, she's (like) a rock. [=nobody can change her mind once she decides something]
4 [count] informal : a diamond or other jewel
• Look at the size of that rock on her finger.
5 [noncount] Brit : hard candy that is made in a stick
• a stick of rock
- compare rock candy
6 [count] informal : a small hard piece of a drug
• a rock of crack cocaine
between a rock and a hard place informal : in a very difficult or bad position or situation with no good way of getting out of it
• He is caught/stuck between a rock and a hard place.
get your rocks off informal
1 of a man : to have an orgasm
2 : to feel great pleasure or satisfaction
• He gets his rocks off bossing everyone around.
live under a rock : to be unaware of things that most people know about
• How could you have not heard about it? Do you live under a rock?
on the rocks
1 : having a lot of problems and likely to fail
• Their marriage is on the rocks. [=in trouble]
2 of an alcoholic drink : with ice cubes
• He ordered a whiskey/Scotch on the rocks.
- compare 3rock
