Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

art rock

American  

noun

  1. a type of rock music, often with poetic lyrics, characterized by sophisticated harmonic, dynamic, and technical complexity based on forms derived from classical music and requiring performers of considerable training and skill.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Each project draws on elements of post-punk, jazz rock and art rock that blend in an enthusiastic musical cocktail.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2025

US art rock band Modest Mouse are a spiky and angular presence on the main stage, but they are not recognisable enough for Latitude's predominantly mainstream audience.

From BBC • Jul. 22, 2022

In making their performance art rock, the four members of Pylon drew on what they had learned in art school about the ways that tensions between materials, mediums, and expectations could animate art.

From Slate • Jul. 8, 2020

Anika, a mononymous singer of bleak art rock, will also perform at the event, which is free with advance registration.

From New York Times • Oct. 24, 2019

“It was a brand of unashamed art rock that was completely out of step with both the underground’s unkempt roar and the manicured mainstream.”

From Washington Post • Feb. 26, 2019

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "art rock" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com