glitter rock

noun

: rock music characterized by performers wearing fanciful costumes and flamboyant makeup : glam rock

It was the age of glitter rock, and performers like Elton John and David Bowie were enjoying great success mixing rock with English music-hall theatricality.

—Stephen Holden

Examples of glitter rock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Shout it Out Loud focuses on the formation of the '70s glitter rock band that became known for their face paint, stage outfits, and shock-rock performance style which featured fire-breathing, blood-spitting, smoking guitars, shooting rockets, and pyrotechnics. —Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 5 June 2025

Shout it Out Loud focuses on the formation of the ‘70s glitter rock band. —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 June 2025

When the interviewer dismisses it as just glitter rock, Branca gives a beautifully passionate explanation of what made this band so shocking. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2025

His honesty and humility about his own ups (his coming out, his advocacy) and downs (drug addiction, tragic loss of friends Princess Diana and Gianni Versace) make this a charming swan song by a glitter rock icon. —Shannon Carlin, TIME, 15 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for glitter rock

• aftershock
• antiknock
• arawak
• hollyhock
• interlock
• isopach
• manioc
• shuttlecock
• tomahawk
• weathercock
• alcock
• beanstalk