rock
/rɒk/- 1.
A hard natural material that forms part of the earth's surface. It is often found as large pieces or mountains.
- The path was covered with rock.
- We climbed over sharp rocks.
- 2.
A piece of this material, especially a large one.
- A rock hit the window.
- She sat on a rock by the river.
- 1.
To move gently back and forth or from side to side. People often rock a baby to sleep.
- He rocked the chair slowly.
- She rocked the baby to sleep.
- 2.
To shake or move something strongly. This can also mean to disturb someone very much.
- The earthquake rocked the city.
- Bad news rocked the whole family.
- 3.
To perform very well or excite people, especially in music or informal speech.
- Their band really rocked last night.
- You rocked the presentation.
A type of loud popular music, or music that is similar to rock and roll.
- He listens to rock every day.
- Classic rock is his favourite genre.
Adinary Nuance
Rock is broader than stone. Rock often means a large natural mass or a hard material, while stone is usually a smaller piece or a shaped one. It can also be a verb, so learners should watch the context carefully. In music, rock is a genre, not just a hard object.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đá
- Spanish
- roca
- Chinese
- 岩石
- Japanese
- 岩
- Korean
- 바위
Etymology
The noun comes from Old English and Germanic roots meaning hard stone. The verb senses grew later, especially from the idea of moving back and forth.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between rock and stone?
- Rock is often a larger natural mass. Stone is usually a smaller piece or a shaped piece used for building.
- Is rock a noun and a verb?
- Yes. It can mean a hard natural material, and it can also mean to move gently or strongly.
- Is rock used in informal speech?
- Yes, especially the verb meaning “do very well” and in music talk.
- What does “solid as a rock” mean?
- It means very strong, stable, or reliable.