noun

ska

skah

Ska (noun) means a style of upbeat Jamaican dance music from the late 1950s that blended Caribbean calypso with American jazz and R&B, and later evolved into rocksteady and reggae. Example: “The band played a lively set of classic ska tunes.”

noun

A style of upbeat Jamaican dance music from the late 1950s that blended Caribbean calypso with American jazz and R&B, and later evolved into rocksteady and reggae.

"The band played a lively set of classic ska tunes."

How to use ska

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn early Jamaican music genre that led to reggae, known for its upbeat, offbeat rhythm guitar.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The band played a lively set of classic _____ tunes.

Etymology

Origin uncertain, possibly imitating the sharp, choppy sound of the guitar, or from a term coined by a Jamaican musician.

Frequently asked questions

What does “ska” mean?

The word “ska” means a style of upbeat Jamaican dance music from the late 1950s that blended Caribbean calypso with American jazz and R&B, and later evolved into rocksteady and reggae. In plain terms, an early Jamaican music genre that led to reggae, known for its upbeat, offbeat rhythm guitar.

How do you pronounce “ska”?

“Ska” is pronounced skah (/skɑː/ in IPA).

How do you use “ska” in a sentence?

Here is “ska” used in a sentence: “The band played a lively set of classic ska tunes.”

What part of speech is “ska”?

“Ska” is a noun.