emo

American  

[ee-moh] / ˈi moʊ /

noun

1. emocore.

2. a type of guitar-based rock music developed from emocore but having a softer, pop or mainstream sound.

3. a fan of emo, especially a person who is overly sensitive, emotional, and full of angst, or who adopts a certain style characterized by dyed black hair, tight t-shirts and skinny jeans, etc.

4. a person who is overly sensitive or emotional.

5. emotional display; emotion.

   The storyline had too much emo and not enough substance.

---

adjective

1. noting or relating to the type of music called emo or emocore.

   emo albums of the late 1990s.

2. of or relating to a fan of emo, or to the lifestyle, dress, etc., typical of such a person.

   emo teens;

   emo fashion.

3. overly sensitive or emotional.

emo British  

/ ˈiːməʊ /

noun

1. 1. a type of music combining traditional hard rock with personal and emotional lyrics

   2. ( as modifier )

      emo bands

---

Etymology

Origin of emo

First recorded in 1985-90; shortening of emocore

Example Sentences

An exhibition called I'm Not Okay: An Emo Retrospective has become one of the most visited displays at the Barbican Music Library with over 35,000 people coming through the doors to reminisce this era.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2025

The bot, nicknamed Emo, has a pair of high-resolution cameras embedded in its eye sockets and is outfitted with 26 magnet-controlled actuators, which contort its silicone “skin” into a variety of nuanced expressions.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 29, 2024

The researchers are now working to integrate verbal communication, using a large language model like ChatGPT into Emo.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2024

New to the Seattle emporium of all things weird and wonderful, these tiny vinyl Goth Cats make darkness and ennui cute in Emo Cat, Skeleton Cat, Bat Cat and Caped Cat designs.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2023

He couldn’t hear the rattling in the little bag any more, but he could still see Emo playing with it.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko