reggae

[reg-ey]

noun

1. a style of Jamaican popular music blending blues, calypso, and rock-'n'-roll, characterized by a strong syncopated rhythm and lyrics of social protest.

reggae

/ ˈrɛɡeɪ /

noun

1. a type of West Indian popular music having four beats to the bar, the upbeat being strongly accented

reggae

1. A form of pop music that originated in Jamaica, combining elements of calypso and rhythm and blues (see blues) with a strongly accentuated offbeat. Bob Marley was the first internationally known reggae musician.

Word History and Origins

Origin of reggae¹

< Jamaican English, respelling of reggay (introduced in the song “Do the Reggay” (1968) by Frederick “Toots” Hibbert), a dance name based on rege, *strege a dowdy or raggedy fellow; compare rege-rege ragged clothing, quarrel, row

Word History and Origins

Origin of reggae¹

C20: of West Indian origin

Example Sentences

The result was a steady shift in the music-rich island from joyous ska and soulful rock-steady to reggae, a more brooding genre that addressed social and personal issues.

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Jimmy Cliff, the legendary musician who helped popularize reggae around the world and paved the way for future stars of the genre such as Bob Marley, has died.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Jimmy Cliff, one of the most prominent and beloved proponents of reggae music, has died at the age of 81.

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The whine of the alarms clashes sharply with the chill reggae music.

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He loved reggae music, dancing and was an amateur archaeologist.

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