rock

¹rock

verb \ˈräk\

Definition of ROCK

transitive verb

1

: to move back and forth in or as if in a cradle

2

a : to cause to sway back and forth <a boat rocked by the waves> b (1) : to cause to shake violently (2) : to daze with or as if with a vigorous blow <a hard right rocked the contender> (3) : to astonish or disturb greatly <the scandal rocked the community>

3

: to rouse to excitement (as by performing rock music) <rocked the crowd>

intransitive verb

1

: to become moved backward and forward under often violent impact; also : to move gently back and forth

2

: to move forward at a steady pace; also : to move forward at a high speed <the train rocked through the countryside>

3

: to sing, dance to, or play rock music

4

slang : to be extremely enjoyable, pleasing, or effective <her new car rocks>

— rock the boat

: to do something that disturbs the equilibrium of a situation

Examples of ROCK

1. She gently rocked the baby to sleep.
2. He rocked back and forth while he stood waiting.
3. The boat rocked back and forth on the waves.
4. An earthquake rocked the town.
5. The building was rocked by an explosion.
6. The news of the murders rocked the town.
7. Their invention rocked the computer industry.
8. The band rocked the crowd.

Origin of ROCK

Middle English rokken, from Old English roccian; akin to Old High German rucken to cause to move

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to ROCK

Synonyms: careen, lurch, pitch, roll, seesaw, sway, toss, wobble (also wabble)

Related Words: blunder, buck, dodder, falter, flounder, halt, hitch, hobble, jerk, jolt, reel, shake, stagger, stumble, teeter, toddle, totter, tumble, vacillate, vibrate, waddle, waver, weave; oscillate, undulate, wag, waggle

see all synonyms and antonyms

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