noun Uncommon

emo

EE-moh

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Emo (noun) means a style of guitar-driven rock music known for emotional, often confessional lyrics, along with the subculture and fashion associated with it. Example: “His playlist was full of emo bands from the mid-2000s.”

noun

A style of guitar-driven rock music known for emotional, often confessional lyrics, along with the subculture and fashion associated with it.

"His playlist was full of emo bands from the mid-2000s."

"The emo scene had its own distinctive look, from dyed black hair to skinny jeans."

adj

Openly emotional, sensitive, or melancholic, especially in an exaggerated or self-dramatizing way.

"He got a bit emo after the breakup and wouldn't stop texting sad lyrics."

How to use emo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes a music genre/subculture built around raw emotion, or casually describes someone being overly emotional or moody.

When to use it

Informal, and can be used either as a neutral description of the music genre or as a mildly teasing label for someone acting overly sensitive.

Common pairings

emo music emo kid emo phase

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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”.

Word forms

Plural: emos
Comparative: more emo
Superlative: most emo

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His playlist was full of _____ bands from the mid-2000s.

Etymology

A clipped form of "emotional," first used to describe an emotionally intense strain of punk rock in the late 1980s.

· First attested 1980

Class of 1980 emo joined the language around 1980.

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Rhymes for emo

demo memo Nemo chemo problemo

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Frequently asked questions

What does “emo” mean?

The word “emo” means a style of guitar-driven rock music known for emotional, often confessional lyrics, along with the subculture and fashion associated with it. In plain terms, describes a music genre/subculture built around raw emotion, or casually describes someone being overly emotional or moody.

How do you pronounce “emo”?

“Emo” is pronounced EE-moh (/ˈiː.moʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “emo” in a sentence?

Here is “emo” used in a sentence: “His playlist was full of emo bands from the mid-2000s.”

What part of speech is “emo”?

Depending on how it is used, “emo” can be a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “emo” come from?

The word “emo” dates back to around 1980. A clipped form of "emotional," first used to describe an emotionally intense strain of punk rock in the late 1980s.

Is “emo” a common word?

“Emo” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “emo” have?

“Emo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a style of guitar-driven rock music known for emotional, often confessional lyrics, along with the subculture and fashion associated with it.