emo

[ee-moh]

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

/ ˈiːməʊ /

noun

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

   2. ( as modifier )

      emo bands

Word History and Origins

Origin of emo¹

First recorded in 1985-90; shortening of emocore

Word History and Origins

Origin of emo¹

C20: short for emotional rock

Example Sentences

Download bills itself as a festival "spanning the full spectrum of rock, metal, punk, emo, hardcore, alternative and classic rock".

Read more on BBC

The album “star,” 2hollis’ best version of his signature crystalline hardstyle EDM, meets grimy rage trap, meets velvet emo pop punk, emerged directly and impactfully from the remains of the roaring flames.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At other times he’s more like a sympathy-oozing emo rocker, which is how he comes across in real life.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In a Reddit Q&A, PinkPantheress said Fancy That represents a "more fun" side to her personality than the introspective, "emo asf" lyrics of her debut album Heaven Knows.

Read more on BBC

Good Charlotte’s return is propitiously timed given the broader emo and pop-punk revival that’s ushered other turn-of-the-millennium acts like Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance into stadiums over the past few years.

Read more on Los Angeles Times