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

It’s a genre that emerged from people combining hip-hop, dancehall reggae and all manner of Latin American genres, like salsa and merengue.

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The rhythmic pounding of drums producing samba and reggae beats soundtracked the party on the streets alongside the constant honking of car horns.

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In the street, people danced to the sound of reggae tunes and local funana music.

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So, I’ve played my son a little bit of reggae and rocksteady, and there’s a heritage of sound that I think I’m passing on.

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Having captured his first photos of Marley in 1973, Morris was there to picture him again when the reggae star returned to London two years later to play a legendary gig at the Lyceum Theatre.

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