rhythmic

American  

[rith-mik] / ˈrɪð mɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to rhythm; showing a pattern of repeated sound or movement.

   I could tell by his slow, rhythmic breathing that he had fallen asleep.

2. Music. relating to or emphasizing a regular pattern of strong and weak beats.

   A strong, rhythmic violin accompaniment adds to the energy of the powerful solo voice.

3. characterized by measured or flowing movement, as in dancing.

   Her long-form figure skating routine showcased a graceful, rhythmic body motion, like the rolling waves of the sea.

4. relating to a person’s ability to recognize and produce a beat or pattern of measured movement, as in music or dance.

   He has a strong rhythmic sense, as shown by his complicated drum work on this album.

5. Art, Literature. using or showing the patterned repetition of a motif or formal element in the same or a modified form.

   Ancient storytelling used memory aids such as rhythmic parallel structures and closely related key words.

6. Prosody. relating to or making effective use of poetic meter.

   The quirky and humorous poems in this collection are a mixture of free and rhythmic lines.

7. Theater, Movies. having a measured or patterned effect of movement, tension, and emotion, as created by an alternation between dialogue and description, shorter and longer scenes or sentences, etc..

   With a masterful knack for rhythmic scene pacing, she explores a series of topics in this trio of short films about growing up.

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noun

1. rhythmics.

rhythmic British  

/ ˈrɪðmɪk, ˈrɪðmɪkəl, rɪðˈmɪsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by rhythm, as in movement or sound; metrical, periodic, or regularly recurring

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Other Word Forms

• hyperrhythmic
  adjective
• nonrhythmic
  adjective
• rhythmically
  adverb
• rhythmicity
  noun
• semirhythmic
  adjective
• unrhythmic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of rhythmic

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Late Latin rhythmicus, from Greek rhythmikós; see rhythm ( def. ), -ic ( def. )

Explanation

If something is rhythmic, it's repetitive, with a regular beat or pattern. You might drift off to sleep lulled by the rhythmic noise of rain on the roof. When you think of rhythmic things, you might immediately imagine a jazz drum, but movement can also be rhythmic. In fact, anything or anyone with rhythm can be described this way, including the rhythmic sound of a horse's hooves against the ground or the rhythmic movements of a master martial artist. The Greek root is rhythmos, "measured flow or movement."

Example Sentences

Rhythmic gymnastics was added Tuesday to the Expo Park cluster at USC’s Galen Center, which will also host badminton.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2025

Rhythmic, shallow breathing provides the percussive backbone of the track and adds a visceral chill to its nightmarish atmospherics.

From New York Times • Nov. 4, 2022

Rhythmic gymnast Louise Christie has claimed Scotland's 36th medal of Birmingham 2022 by earning silver in the women's ribbon final.

From BBC • Aug. 6, 2022

Rhythmic gymnastics is one of the only sports at the summer Games, along with synchronized swimming, that are considered so feminine only women compete.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 7, 2021

Rhythmic learning concerns understanding three basic concepts: the macrobeat, the microbeat, and melodic rhythm.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin