emo

noun

ˈē-(ˌ)mō 

: 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

Compared to their counterparts in the emo and hardcore scenes of the early aughts, My Chemical Romance’s ambitions always played much grander, with a keen flair for the dramatic. —Jessi Roti, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025

But now, after Williams gave Ego Death a properly long name true to her emo roots, and an official track list, the project finally feels complete. —Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025

What was the Flo Milli emo era like? —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2025

The band’s connection to Midwest emo from years past pays off in the album’s sincerity, especially in the moments that allow for stillness. —Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

short for emotional

First Known Use

1988, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for emo

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau