glam rock
noun
: rock music characterized by performers wearing fanciful costumes and flamboyant makeup
It was 1972 and a new musical craze, glam rock, was on the rise. Characterised by glittery flamboyant outfits, extravagant make-up, androgynous stage personas, and loud anthemic songs, its prime exponents included David Bowie, Slade, Sweet, Alice Cooper, Roxy Music, Suzi Quatro and Mott The Hoople.—
David Morton
—often hyphenated when used before another nounDavid MortonTaking their inspiration from the old glam-rock bands like Alice Cooper and the New York Dolls, today's metal bands … arrived in carnival costumes and heavy make-up, singing catchy melodies and riding any one of the ever-popular bad boy myths.—Divina Infusino
Divina Infusinocalled also glam, glitter rock
Examples of glam rock in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nick Jonas was made for rock ‘n’ roll, at least onscreen, as he’s been tapped to play KISS frontman Paul Stanley in an upcoming biopic about the glam rock band.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
The band first formed in 1970s New York and became known for its glam rock look, always performing in face paint and elaborate costumes.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 5 June 2025
Deadline reports that's exactly what's happened with the upcoming biopic of the glam rock band KISS.
—Michileen Martin, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
According to reports, Burch died after going overboard on the Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas on the first night of the 80s Cruise, which, in addition to 1980s glam rock stalwarts Faster Pussycat, featured sets from Warrant, Dokken, Firehouse, Squeeze, Adam Ant, Tiffany and Men at Work.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 June 2025
This is full-on ’70s glam rock worthy of David Bowie.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 6 May 2025
Spicy And Bright For Spring: 19-69 Rainbow Bar Created by cult luxury brand, 19-69, Rainbow Bar draws from 1980s glam rock counterculture.
—Bianca Salonga, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
By the 1970s and ‘80s, despite glam rock’s best attempts to normalize towering heels on stage, men who wanted to add height often did so in secret, with inserts concealed (sometimes poorly) in their dress shoes.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
While platform shoes have been around since the 1930s, de Havilland’s psychedelic, five-inch-tall versions were especially popular during the glam rock era.
—Kin Woo, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
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.
Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
The band first formed in 1970s New York and became known for its glam rock look, always performing in face paint and elaborate costumes.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 5 June 2025
Deadline reports that's exactly what's happened with the upcoming biopic of the glam rock band KISS.
—Michileen Martin, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
According to reports, Burch died after going overboard on the Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas on the first night of the 80s Cruise, which, in addition to 1980s glam rock stalwarts Faster Pussycat, featured sets from Warrant, Dokken, Firehouse, Squeeze, Adam Ant, Tiffany and Men at Work.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 June 2025
This is full-on ’70s glam rock worthy of David Bowie.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 6 May 2025
Spicy And Bright For Spring: 19-69 Rainbow Bar Created by cult luxury brand, 19-69, Rainbow Bar draws from 1980s glam rock counterculture.
—Bianca Salonga, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
By the 1970s and ‘80s, despite glam rock’s best attempts to normalize towering heels on stage, men who wanted to add height often did so in secret, with inserts concealed (sometimes poorly) in their dress shoes.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
While platform shoes have been around since the 1930s, de Havilland’s psychedelic, five-inch-tall versions were especially popular during the glam rock era.
—Kin Woo, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Glam rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glam%20rock. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share