emo

noun \ ˈē-(ˌ)mō \

|Updated on: 24 Jun 2018

Definition of emo

: 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

Recent Examples of emo from the Web

Known for melding hip-hop with elements of punk, emo, indie and other genres, XXXTentacion, given name Jahseh Onfroy, began recording music with friends in his bedroom and releasing it online.

— david schutz, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Who is XXXTentacion, the rapper killed in Florida?," 19 June 2018
Above, Brewer shares snaps from the day, including grooving out to 2000s emo and a moment paying homage to her onscreen alter ego Janine.

— edward barsamian, Vogue, "Madeline Brewer Goes Inside The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2 Premiere," 27 Apr. 2018
Their music is a melange of pop, R&B, rap, emo, punk, and indie rock, thrown together in unpredictable and unpredictably compelling ways.

— bijan stephen, GQ, "Don’t Call Post Malone a Rapper," 25 Jan. 2018
So does Brand New, the emo band who called off their tour after revelations of predatory conduct by their singer, Jesse Lacey.

— spencer kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Spotify's Lonely Stance Against Alleged Abuse," 10 May 2018
Later that evening, fans must choose between placating their inner indie sad-dad with the National (8 p.m.) or indulging their inner emo/pop-loving teen with Paramore (8:05 p.m.).

— terence cawley, BostonGlobe.com, "Too many choices at Boston Calling? Here’s some help.," 23 May 2018
Along with adorable facial expressions, the page boys also had some on social media recalling an infamous moment in emo music.

— lauren rearick, Teen Vogue, "Best Royal Wedding Memes," 20 May 2018
This isn’t a show of emo bands and metal bands and hard-core bands.

— nick vadala, Philly.com, "NOFX's Fat Mike talks Punk in Drublic beer and music festival ahead of Philly stop," 9 May 2018
Underoath has been making heavy emo-metalcore, or whatever, for more than 20 years, give or take a few years when the band broke up and did a farewell tour in 2013, then got back together in 2015.

— john adamian, courant.com, "Underoath To Play The Oakdale Dome," 28 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'emo.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.