noun

EDM

ee-dee-EM

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EDM (noun) means a broad category of music made with synthesisers, drum machines and computers, built around a strong repeating beat and intended mainly for clubs, festivals and dancing. Example: “She spent the whole summer following EDM festivals around Europe.”

noun

informal A broad category of music made with synthesisers, drum machines and computers, built around a strong repeating beat and intended mainly for clubs, festivals and dancing.

"She spent the whole summer following EDM festivals around Europe."

"The track starts as a ballad and then drops into full-blown EDM."

technical A manufacturing process in which metal is shaped by controlled electrical sparks passing between a shaped electrode and the workpiece, used for very hard materials and fine detail.

"The mould cavity was cut by EDM because the tool steel was too hard to mill."

How to use EDM

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishElectronic music made for dancing to.

When to use it

Everyday in music writing and conversation; the machining sense is confined to engineering contexts.

Memory tip

Treat EDM as an uncountable noun: say "he makes EDM", not "he makes an EDM".

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

EDM vs house EDM vs techno

Common pairings

EDM festival EDM producer EDM track mainstream EDM

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “EDM” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She spent the whole summer following _____ festivals around Europe.

Etymology

An initialism: in the music sense, of electronic dance music; in the engineering sense, of electrical discharge machining.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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dance music club music electronica

Related words

electro electronica IDM

Frequently asked questions

What does EDM stand for?

In its everyday sense it stands for electronic dance music, an umbrella term covering house, techno, trance, dubstep, drum and bass and many related styles. In engineering it stands for electrical discharge machining, an entirely unrelated metalworking process.

Is EDM a genre or a category?

It is best understood as an umbrella category rather than a single genre. House, techno and trance each have their own conventions, and many producers describe themselves by their specific style rather than as EDM artists.

Is EDM written in capitals?

Yes, it is normally written in capitals as EDM, with no full stops. Lower-case edm appears in casual writing but is not standard.

What is the meaning of EDM?

"EDM" (noun) means a broad category of music made with synthesisers, drum machines and computers, built around a strong repeating beat and intended mainly for clubs, festivals and dancing.

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electro electronica IDM