: a style of rock music influenced by punk rock and featuring introspective and emotionally fraught lyrics
In emo, the heart forever hurts, and the ultra-introspective songwriter pines for beautiful death.Robert Sullivan
emo adjective
The film is sensitively directed, full of emo songs and quiet little character moments. Kyle Smith

Examples of emo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Imagine rock music as jazz as Drain Gang-style emo rap. Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026 Inspired by the genre-crossing tastes of Gen Z audiences, corridos tumbados blended rap, trap and even a touch of emo, with Junior’s music delivering the lattermost, in particular, in abundance. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 5 Mar. 2026 A number of hard rock, emo, and metal bands will be taking the stage this year, along with some rap legends. Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026 Performers include Glass Mansions, Chancla Fight Club and emo cover band Jimmy Eat Brisket. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for emo

Word History

Etymology

short for emotional

First Known Use

1988, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of emo was in 1988

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Cite this Entry

“Emo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emo. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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