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noun A2 Elementary Uncommon

disco

DIHS-koh
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Disco (noun) means a style of dance music popular in the 1970s, or a nightclub playing it. Example: “They danced all night to classic disco hits.”

noun
1
A style of dance music popular in the 1970s, or a nightclub playing it.
"They danced all night to classic disco hits."
"My parents still keep a box of old disco records in the attic."
"The new disco in town stays open until two in the morning."
verb
1
To dance or go out dancing to disco music.
"They spent Saturday nights discoing at the club downtown."
"We love to disco in the living room whenever that song comes on."
"Grandma says she used to disco every Friday when she was young."

How to use disco

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe glittery dance music genre (and the clubs built around it) from the 1970s.

Common pairings
disco ball disco music disco era
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Word forms

Plural
discos
Third person singular
discos
Past tense
discoed
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They danced all night to classic _____ hits.

Etymology

A shortening of discotheque, itself from French discothèque.

Origin: French

nightclub dance club discotheque

Related words

Rhymes for disco

See all rhymes for disco →

Frequently asked questions

What does “disco” mean?
The word “disco” means a style of dance music popular in the 1970s, or a nightclub playing it. In plain terms, the glittery dance music genre (and the clubs built around it) from the 1970s.
How do you pronounce “disco”?
“Disco” is pronounced DIHS-koh (/ˈdɪskoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “disco” in a sentence?
Here is “disco” used in a sentence: “They danced all night to classic disco hits.”
What part of speech is “disco”?
Depending on how it is used, “disco” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “disco” come from?
The word “disco” comes from French. A shortening of discotheque, itself from French discothèque.
Is “disco” a common word?
“Disco” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “disco” have?
“Disco” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a style of dance music popular in the 1970s, or a nightclub playing it.
What is the difference between disco and a nightclub?
Disco specifically refers to a style of dance music from the 1970s or a venue built around playing that style, while nightclub is a general term for any venue with music and dancing regardless of genre. A nightclub can play any kind of music, but a disco is defined by its dance-music focus.
Is disco used as a verb in everyday speech?
Disco can be used as a verb meaning to dance or go out dancing to disco music, but this usage is informal and less common than the noun form. Most speakers use it as a noun referring to the music style or the venue.
What genres are associated with disco music?
Disco is a dance music style that became popular in the 1970s, characterized by a strong, steady beat meant for dancing. It is often discussed alongside funk and soul as related genres from the same era.

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