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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

reggae

REH-gay

Reggae (noun) means a music genre from Jamaica known for its offbeat rhythm guitar and deep bass, closely tied to Rastafarian culture. Example: “Bob Marley helped bring reggae to a worldwide audience.”

noun
1
A music genre from Jamaica known for its offbeat rhythm guitar and deep bass, closely tied to Rastafarian culture.
"Bob Marley helped bring reggae to a worldwide audience."
"The beach bar played reggae all afternoon."

How to use reggae

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA style of Jamaican music with a laid-back, offbeat rhythm, closely linked with Rastafari culture.

Common pairings
reggae music roots reggae reggae beat
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Bob Marley helped bring _____ to a worldwide audience.

Etymology

From Jamaican Creole rege, meaning "rags" or "a quarrel"; the musical sense was popularized by the 1968 Maytals song "Do the Reggay."

· First attested 1968

Class of 1968 reggae joined the language around 1968.
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Rhymes for reggae

See all rhymes for reggae →

Frequently asked questions

What does “reggae” mean?

The word “reggae” means a music genre from Jamaica known for its offbeat rhythm guitar and deep bass, closely tied to Rastafarian culture. In plain terms, a style of Jamaican music with a laid-back, offbeat rhythm, closely linked with Rastafari culture.

How do you pronounce “reggae”?

“Reggae” is pronounced REH-gay (/ˈɹɛɡeɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “reggae” in a sentence?

Here is “reggae” used in a sentence: “Bob Marley helped bring reggae to a worldwide audience.”

What part of speech is “reggae”?

“Reggae” is a noun.

Where does the word “reggae” come from?

The word “reggae” dates back to around 1968. From Jamaican Creole rege, meaning "rags" or "a quarrel"; the musical sense was popularized by the 1968 Maytals song "Do the Reggay.".

Is “reggae” a common word?

“Reggae” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial