adj
Uncommon
rocking
RO-kihng
Rocking (adj) means moving steadily back and forth, or (informally) excellent and lively. Example: “The rocking motion of the train sent her to sleep.”
adj
1
Moving steadily back and forth, or (informally) excellent and lively.
"The rocking motion of the train sent her to sleep."
"It was a truly rocking party."
"Our rocking boat made several of the passengers feel quite sick."
noun
1
The action or motion of swaying back and forth.
"The gentle rocking of the hammock helped him relax."
"The rocking of the ship made it hard to sleep."
"Her grandmother used a slow rocking to calm the crying baby."
How to use rocking
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSwaying back and forth; also slang for something lively or excellent.
Common pairings
rocking chair
rocking motion
a rocking party
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Word forms
- Plural
- rockings
- Comparative
- more rocking
- Superlative
- most rocking
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ motion of the train sent her to sleep.
Etymology
From "rock" plus the "-ing" suffix.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for rocking
See all rhymes for rocking →Frequently asked questions
What does “rocking” mean?
The word “rocking” means moving steadily back and forth, or (informally) excellent and lively. In plain terms, swaying back and forth; also slang for something lively or excellent.
How do you pronounce “rocking”?
“Rocking” is pronounced RO-kihng (/ˈɹɑkɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “rocking” in a sentence?
Here is “rocking” used in a sentence: “The rocking motion of the train sent her to sleep.”
What part of speech is “rocking”?
Depending on how it is used, “rocking” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “rocking” a common word?
“Rocking” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “rocking” have?
“Rocking” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: moving steadily back and forth, or (informally) excellent and lively.
What is the difference between the two meanings of rocking?
In its literal sense, rocking describes something moving steadily back and forth, like a rocking chair. In informal use, rocking instead means excellent or lively, such as describing a great party or performance.
Is "rocking" meaning excellent formal or informal?
The "excellent, lively" sense of rocking is informal and is typically used in casual speech rather than formal writing.
Can rocking be used as a noun as well as an adjective?
Yes, rocking can function as a noun referring to the action or motion of swaying back and forth, in addition to its uses as an adjective.
