Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense rocks, present participle rocking, past tense, past participle rocked
1. uncountable noun
Rock is the hard substance which the Earth is made of.
The hills above the valley are bare rock.
A little way below the ridge was an outcrop of rock that made a rough shelter.
2. countable noun
A rock is a large piece of rock that sticks up out of the ground or the sea, or that hasbroken away from a mountain or a cliff.
She sat cross-legged on the rock.
...the sound of the sea crashing against the rocks.
He and two friends were climbing a rock face when they heard cries for help.
Synonyms: stone, boulder More Synonyms of rock
3. countable noun
A rock is a piece of rock that is small enough for you to pick up.
She bent down, picked up a rock and threw it into the trees.
4. verb
When something rocks or when you rock it, it moves slowly and regularly backwards and forwards or from side to side.
His body rocked from side to side with the train. [VERB preposition/adverb]
He stood a few moments, rocking back and forwards on his heels. [VERB preposition/adverb]
She sat on the porch and rocked the baby. [VERB noun]
[Also VERB]
Synonyms: sway, pitch, swing, reel More Synonyms of rock
5. verb
If an explosion or an earthquake rocks a building or an area, it causes the building or area to shake. You can also say that the building or area rocks.
[journalism]
Three people were injured yesterday when an explosion rocked one of Britain's bestknown film studios. [VERB noun]
...a country that's rocked by dozens of earthquakes every year. [VERB noun]
As the buildings rocked under heavy shell-fire, he took refuge in the cellars. [VERB]
6. verb
If an event or a piece of news rocks a group or society, it shocks them or makes them feel less secure.
[journalism]
His death rocked the fashion business. [VERB noun]
...the latest scandal to rock the monarchy. [VERB noun]
Wall Street was rocked by the news and shares fell 4.3 per cent by the end of trading. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: shock, surprise, shake, stun More Synonyms of rock
7. uncountable noun [oft NOUN noun]
Rock is loud music with a strong beat that is usually played and sung by a small group of people using instruments such as electric guitars and drums.
He once told an interviewer that he didn't even like rock music.
...a rock concert.
...famous rock stars.
8. uncountable noun
Rock is a sweet that is made in long, hard sticks and is often sold in towns by the seain Britain.
...a stick of rock.
9.
See to be caught between a rock and a hard place
10.
See on the rocks
11.
See on the rocks
12. to rock the boat
More Synonyms of rock
rock in British English1
(rɒk)
noun
1. geology
any aggregate of minerals that makes up part of the earth's crust. It may be unconsolidated, such as a sand, clay, or mud, or consolidated, such as granite, limestone, or coal
See also igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary
2.
any hard mass of consolidated mineral matter, such as a boulder
3. mainly US, Canadian and Australian
a stone
4.
a person or thing suggesting a rock, esp in being dependable, unchanging, or providing firm foundation
5. British
a hard sweet, typically a long brightly-coloured peppermint-flavoured stick, sold esp in holiday resorts
6. slang
a jewel, esp a diamond
7. short for rock salmon
8. (plural) vulgar, slang
the testicles
9. slang another name for crack (sense 30)
10. between a rock and a hard place
11. on the rocks
Word origin
C14: from Old French roche, of unknown origin
rock in British English2
(rɒk)
verb
1.
to move or cause to move from side to side or backwards and forwards
2.
to reel or sway or cause (someone) to reel or sway, as with a violent shock or emotion
3. (transitive)
to shake or move (something) violently
4. (intransitive)
to dance in the rock-and-roll style
5. mining
to wash (ore) or (of ore) to be washed in a cradle
6. (transitive)
to roughen (a copper plate) with a rocker before engraving a mezzotint
7. (transitive) slang, mainly US
to impress by wearing (an item of clothing) or playing (a musical instrument)
she can still rock a miniskirt
he rocks a guitar like nobody’s business
8. rock the boat
noun
9.
a rocking motion
10. short for rock and roll
11. Also called: rock music
any of various styles of pop music having a heavy beat, derived from rock and roll
Word origin
Old English roccian; related to Middle Dutch, Old High German rocken, German rücken
Rock in British English
(rɒk)
noun
the Rock
1. an informal name for Gibraltar
2. a Canadian informal name for Newfoundland
rock in American English1
(rɑk)
noun
1.
a large mass of stone forming a peak or cliff
2.
a.
a large stone detached from the mass; boulder
b.
broken pieces of any size of such stone
c.
any stone, large or small
3.
a.
mineral matter variously composed, formed in masses or large quantities in the earth'scrust by the action of heat, water, etc.
b.
a particular kind or mass of this
4.
anything like or suggesting a rock, as in strength or stability; esp., a firm support, basis, refuge, etc.
5. US
rockfish
6.
a. Chiefly British
a hard candy made in sticks
b.
rock candy
7. Slang
a diamond or other gem
8. US, Slang
crack cocaine or a single piece of it
Idioms:
between a rock and a hard place
get one's rocks off
on the rocks
Word origin
ME rokke < OFr roche < ML rocca
rock in American English2
(rɑk)
verb transitive
1.
to move or sway back and forth or from side to side (a cradle, a child in the arms, etc.), esp. in a gentle, quieting manner
2.
to bring into a specified condition by moving or swaying in this way
to rock a baby to sleep
3.
a.
to move or sway strongly; shake; cause to tremble or vibrate
the explosion rocked the house
b.
to upset emotionally
4. Engraving
to prepare the surface of (a plate) for a mezzotint by roughening with a rocker (sense 5)
5. Mining
to wash (sand or gravel) in a rocker (sense 4)
verb intransitive
6.
to move or sway back and forth or from side to side, as a cradle
7.
to move or sway strongly; shake; vibrate
8.
to be rocked, as ore
noun
9.
the act of rocking
10.
a rocking motion
11. US
a.
rock-and-roll
b.
popular music evolved from rock-and-roll, variously containing elements of folk music, country music, etc. and now often emphasizing loudness, distortion, the use of electronic synthesizers, etc.
Word origin
ME rocken < OE roccian, prob. akin to Ger rücken, to pull, push < IE *rek-, to project, totter (> ON, MDu rā, sailyard) < base *reg-, to put in order, stretch out > right
More idioms containing
rock
rock the boat
between a rock and a hard place
hit rock bottom
Examples of 'rock' in a sentence
rock
Romance revs up when you hear rock music.
The Sun (2016)
The top half of the mountain is rock hard and the lower half is a slush pit.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He has also been rocked by the deaths of his brother and grandfather.
The Sun (2016)
But we produced a performance that had the place rocking.
The Sun (2017)
Rock and dance music blasts over speakers.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He's rock solid holding me in place.
The Sun (2016)
IT'S not what you usually think of as the rock 'n roll lifestyle.
The Sun (2016)
I talked to myself and rocked back and forth to stay warm.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Lift your feet a few inches off the floor and slowly rock backwards and forwards.
MacEoin, Beth Healthy By Nature (1994)
This is the rock and the hard place brought together.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They lay a single egg that hatches directly on to the bare rock.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The villagers are rocked by news of a murder!
The Sun (2009)
They are also both wannabe rock stars.
The Sun (2014)
She told me about the lecture and all the satanic messages in rock music.
Christianity Today (2000)
Maths rock plus building anthems equals loyal crowd.
The Sun (2013)
He has hardly moved from his rock.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
If he were a stick of rock it would say football all the way through him.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
To the left rose a cliff of rock.
Aldiss, Brian Somewhere East of Life (1994)
That is because of rock movements caused by changing weather at the summit.
The Sun (2015)
They suffered nasty cuts as they clambered over rock faces and waded through undergrowth.
The Sun (2009)
Was the flute on top of a full rock sound an impressive feat of musical engineering when you began?
The Sun (2008)
Well last night they rocked and swayed to a more smooth, samba kind of beat.
The Sun (2015)
Only the driving beat of the rock band Reef lifted the mood.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The Replacements were infused with great energy but also looked backwards to classic rock.
The Sun (2008)
You want your rock 'n' roll stars to have a good time.
The Sun (2013)
The one staid foundation of her home, of her idea of her beloved father, seemed reeling and rocking.
Elizabeth Gaskell North and South (1855)
In other languages
rock
British English: rock /rɒk/ NOUN
materialRock is the hard material that is in the ground and in mountains.
We tried to dig, but the ground was solid rock.
American English: rock
Arabic: صَخْرَة
Brazilian Portuguese: rocha
Chinese: 岩石
Croatian: kamen
Czech: skála
Danish: klippe
Dutch: rots
European Spanish: roca
Finnish: kivi
French: roche
German: Gestein
Greek: βράχος
Italian: roccia
Japanese: 岩
Korean: 바위
Norwegian: rock
Polish: skała
European Portuguese: rocha
Romanian: stâncă
Russian: скала
Latin American Spanish: roca
Swedish: sten
Thai: หิน
Turkish: kaya
Ukrainian: скеля
Vietnamese: đá tảng
British English: rock /rɒk/ VERB
If something rocks, it moves from side to side.
She rocked the child's cradle tenderly.
The boat began to rock gently on the waves.
American English: rock
Arabic: يَتَأَرْجَحُ
Brazilian Portuguese: balançar
Chinese: 摇摆
Croatian: ljuljati
Czech: houpat se
Danish: rokke
Dutch: schommelen
European Spanish: mecer
Finnish: keinua ees taas
French: se balancer
German: schaukeln
Greek: κουνώ
Italian: cullare
Japanese: 揺れる
Korean: 앞뒤(좌우)로 흔들다
Norwegian: rocke
Polish: zakołysać się
European Portuguese: baloiçar
Romanian: a se balansa
Russian: качаться
Latin American Spanish: mecer
Swedish: gunga
Thai: โยก แกว่ง เขย่า
Turkish: sallamak
Ukrainian: гойдатигойдатися
Vietnamese: đu đưa
British English: rock /rɒk/ NOUN
piece of rock A rock is a piece of rock that is small enough for you to pick up.
She picked up a rock and threw it into the lake
American English: rock
Arabic: صَخْر
Brazilian Portuguese: pedra
Chinese: 石块
Croatian: kamen
Czech: kámen
Danish: sten
Dutch: steen
European Spanish: piedra
Finnish: kivi
French: rocher
German: Stein
Greek: βράχος
Italian: sasso
Japanese: 石
Korean: 암석
Norwegian: stein
Polish: kamień
European Portuguese: pedra
Romanian: piatră
Russian: камень
Latin American Spanish: roca
Swedish: sten
Thai: หิน
Turkish: taş
Ukrainian: камінь
Vietnamese: đá
All related terms of 'rock'
rock up
to arrive late or unannounced
acid rock
a type of rock music characterized by electronically amplified bizarre instrumental effects
alt-rock
a genre of rock music regarded by its practitioners and fans as being outside the mainstream
art rock
a type of rock music, often with poetic lyrics , characterized by sophisticated harmonic , dynamic , and technical complexity based on forms derived from classical music and requiring performers of considerable training and skill
cap rock
a layer of rock that overlies a salt dome and consists of limestone , gypsum , etc
cock rock
an aggressive style of rock music performed by male bands
Dad rock
a type of classic rock music that tends to appeal to adults , often played by middle-aged musicians
folk-rock
a style of rock music influenced by folk , including traditional material arranged for electric instruments
glam rock
a style of rock music of the early 1970s, characterized by the glittery flamboyance and androgynous image of its performers
hard rock
a rhythmically simple and usually highly amplified style of rock and roll
jazz rock
a style of music that combines jazz and rock
moon rock
a rock from the surface of the moon
post-rock
a type of music that often varies from traditional rock in terms of form and instrumentation
prog rock
a style of rock music originating in the 1970s and characterized by large-scale compositions, often on epic themes , in which musicians display instrumental virtuosity
punk rock
a fast abrasive style of rock music of the late 1970s, characterized by aggressive or offensive lyrics and performance
rock art
painting or engraving on rock
rock band
a band that plays rock music
rock bass
a North American freshwater percoid fish , Ambloplites rupestris : an important food fish; family Centrarchidae ( sunfishes , etc)
rock boot
a tight-fitting rock-climbing boot with a canvas or suede upper and smooth rubber sole , designed to give good grip on small holds
rock bun
a small cake containing dried fruit and spice , with a rough surface supposed to resemble a rock
rock cake
a small cake containing dried fruit and spice , with a rough surface supposed to resemble a rock
rock cod
any of various marine fishes found in rocky habitats in Australian waters
rock dove
a common dove , Columba livia , from which domestic and feral pigeons are descended . It has a pale grey plumage with black-striped wings
rock face
a perpendicular side of a rock
rock fall
a fall of loose rocks
rock-girt
hemmed in or encircled by rocks
rock-hard
Something that is rock-hard is very hard indeed.
rock hind
a spotted , edible sea bass ( Epinephelus adscensionis ) of tropical Atlantic and Caribbean waters
rock-like
Something that is rock-like is very strong or firm , and is unlikely to change.
rock oil
→ petroleum
rock pool
A rock pool is a small pool between rocks on the edge of the sea.
rock salt
Rock salt is salt that is formed in the ground. It is obtained by mining .
rock star
a pop musician , usually a singer , who is very famous
rock wall
See rock fence
rock wool
a fibrous material that looks like spun glass, made from molten rock or slag by passing a blast of steam through the fluid; mineral wool : it is used for insulation , esp. in buildings
soft rock
a comparatively unaggressive , melodic style of rock-'n'- roll in which the arrangement and lyrics are emphasized more than the beat
trap rock
→ trap 2
wall rock
rock that is immediately adjacent to a mineral vein , fault , or igneous intrusion
Ayers Rock
a large isolated desert rock, sometimes described as the world's largest monolith , in the Northern Territory of Australia: sacred to local Aboriginal people. Height: 863 m (2831 ft). Base circumference : 9 km (5.6 miles)
desert rock
a type of heavy-metal music that has strong country-rock and folk influences
hybrid rock
an igneous rock formed by molten magma incorporating pre-existing rock through which it passes
Little Rock
a city in central Arkansas , on the Arkansas River : state capital . Pop: 184 053 (2003 est)
mantle rock
→ regolith
rock borer
any of various sea creatures that bore into rock, such as some sea urchins , sponges , annelid worms , barnacles , isopods , and molluscs
rock bottom
If something has reached rock bottom , it is at such a low level that it cannot go any lower .
rock-bound
hemmed in or encircled by rocks
rock brake
any of various ferns of the genera Pellaea and Cryptogramma , which grow on rocky ground and have sori at the ends of the veins
rock candy
a hard candy , typically a long brightly-coloured peppermint-flavoured stick , sold esp in holiday resorts
rock chick
a girl or woman who likes rock music and dresses in a typical rock-and-roll style
rock climb
an instance of rock climbing or the route followed
Chinese translation of 'rock'
rock
(rɔk)
n
(u) (= substance) 岩 (yán)
(c) (= boulder) 巨石 (jùshí) (块(塊), kuài)
(c) (esp US, = small stone) 小石子 (xiǎoshízǐ) (块(塊), kuài)
on the rocks (inf)[drink] (= with ice) 加冰块(塊)的 (jiā bīngkuài de) [marriage] (= in difficulties) 濒(瀕)于(於)破裂 (bīnyú pòliè) [business] (= in difficulties) 濒(瀕)临(臨)破产(產) (bīnlín pòchǎn)
All related terms of 'rock'
rock-bottom
▶ to reach or touch or hit rock-bottom ( person ) 处(處)于(於)最糟的境地 chǔyú zuì zāo de jìngdì ; ( prices ) 降至最低点(點) jiàng zhì zuìdīdiǎn
rock climbing
攀岩运(運)动(動) pānyán yùndòng
rock and roll
摇(搖)滚(滾)乐(樂) yáogǔnyuè
to rock the boat
捣(搗)乱(亂) dǎoluàn
punk
[ c ] punk rocker 朋克 péngkè [ 个(個) gè ]
the king of the jungle/rock 'n' roll
森林/摇(搖)滚(滾)乐(樂)之王 sēnlín/yáogǔnyuè zhī wáng
to reach or touch or hit rock-bottom
( person ) 处(處)于(於)最糟的境地 chǔyú zuì zāo de jìngdì
group
( of people, buildings etc ) 组(組) zǔ [ 个(個) gè ] ⇒ A group of experts are on the case. → 一组专家正在解决问题。 Yī zǔ zhuānjiā zhèngzài jiějué wèntí. ⇒ dinner with a small group of friends → 和几个朋友吃的晚饭 hé jǐ gè péngyou chī de wǎnfàn
1 (noun)
Definition
to move from side to side or backwards and forwards
She sat cross-legged on the rock.
Synonyms
stone
a diamond ring with three stones
boulder
I felt myself smash against a boulder.
2 (noun)
Definition
a large rugged mass of stone
The tower is built on a rock.
Synonyms
cliff
The car rolled over the edge of a cliff.
tor
outcrop
crag
The castle sits on a rocky crag above the town.
3 (noun)
She was the rock of the family.
Synonyms
tower of strength
foundation
Best friends are the foundation of my life.
cornerstone
mainstay
Fish and rice were the mainstays of their diet.
support
Andrew is terrific. He's been such a support to me.
protection
Riot shields acted as protection against the attack.
anchor
The actor provides energy and an anchor for his less experienced co-stars.
bulwark
a bulwark of democracy
idiom
See on the rocks
subject word lists
See Types of rock
1 (verb)
His body rocked from side to side.
Synonyms
sway
The people swayed back and forth with arms linked.
pitch
The ship was pitching and rolling as if in mid-ocean.
swing
The sail of the little boat swung from one side to the other.
reel
He lost his balance and reeled back.
toss
The small boat tossed about in the high seas like a cork.
lurch
As the car sped over a pothole, she lurched forward.
wobble
The ladder wobbled on the uneven ground.
roll
The ship was still rolling in the troughs.
2 (verb)
Definition
to feel or cause to feel shock
His death rocked the fashion business.
Synonyms
shock
Relief workers were shocked by what they saw.
surprise
We'll solve the case ourselves and surprise everyone.
shake
The news of his escape had shaken them all.
stun
Many cinema-goers were stunned by the film's violent and tragic end.
astonish
Her dedication astonishes me.
stagger
The whole thing staggers me.
jar
The impact jarred his arm, right up to the shoulder.
astound
He used to astound us with feats of physical endurance.
daze
We were dazed by the sheer size of the spectacle.
dumbfound
The question dumbfounded him.
set you back on your heels (informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of anchor
Definition
a source of stability or security
The actor provides energy and an anchor for his less experienced co-stars.
Synonyms
support,
second,
stay,
supporter,
prop,
backer,
backbone,
mainstay,
comforter,
tower of strength
in the sense of astonish
Definition
to surprise greatly
Her dedication astonishes me.
Synonyms
amaze,
surprise,
stun,
stagger,
bewilder,
astound,
daze,
confound,
stupefy,
boggle the mind,
dumbfound,
flabbergast (informal)
in the sense of astound
Definition
to overwhelm with amazement
He used to astound us with feats of physical endurance.
Synonyms
amaze,
surprise,
overwhelm,
astonish,
stagger,
bewilder,
daze,
confound,
stupefy,
stun,
take your breath away,
boggle the mind,
dumbfound,
flabbergast (informal)
Synonyms of 'rock'
rock
Explore 'rock' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of boulder
Definition
a smooth rounded mass of rock shaped by erosion
I felt myself smash against a boulder.
Synonyms
rock,
stone
in the sense of bulwark
Definition
a person or thing acting as a defence
a bulwark of democracy
Synonyms
defence,
support,
safeguard,
security,
guard,
buffer,
mainstay
in the sense of crag
Definition
a steep rugged rock or peak
The castle sits on a rocky crag above the town.
Synonyms
rock,
peak,
bluff,
pinnacle,
tor,
aiguille
in the sense of daze
Definition
to cause to be in a state of confusion or shock
We were dazed by the sheer size of the spectacle.
Synonyms
confuse,
surprise,
amaze,
blind,
astonish,
stagger,
startle,
dazzle,
bewilder,
astound,
perplex,
flummox,
dumbfound,
nonplus,
flabbergast (informal),
befog
in the sense of dumbfound
The question dumbfounded him.
Synonyms
amaze,
stun,
astonish,
confuse,
overwhelm,
stagger,
startle,
bewilder,
astound,
confound,
take aback,
bowl over (informal),
flummox,
nonplus,
flabbergast (informal)
in the sense of foundation
Definition
the basic experience, idea, or attitude on which a way of life or belief is based
Best friends are the foundation of my life.
Synonyms
basis,
heart,
root,
mainstay,
beginning,
support,
ground,
rest,
key,
principle,
fundamental,
premise,
starting point,
principal element
in the sense of jar
Definition
to jolt or bump
The impact jarred his arm, right up to the shoulder.
Synonyms
jolt,
rock,
shake,
disturb,
bump,
rattle,
grate,
agitate,
vibrate,
rasp,
convulse
in the sense of lurch
Definition
to lean or tilt suddenly to one side
As the car sped over a pothole, she lurched forward.
Synonyms
tilt,
roll,
pitch,
list,
rock,
lean,
heel
in the sense of mainstay
Definition
a chief support
Fish and rice were the mainstays of their diet.
Synonyms
pillar,
backbone,
bulwark,
prop,
anchor,
buttress,
lynchpin,
chief support
in the sense of pitch
Definition
(of a ship or plane) to dip and raise its back and front alternately
The ship was pitching and rolling as if in mid-ocean.