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Which band is often associated with emo music?

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emo

American  

[ee-moh] / ˈi moʊ /

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.

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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 British  

/ ˈiːməʊ /

noun

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

   2. ( as modifier )

      emo bands

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Etymology

Origin of emo

First recorded in 1985-90; shortening of emocore

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

emo

GS: Remember who you are, Christian emo girl.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

If you grew up with this sound, you’ve internalized voices like this to a degree that you barely notice how they connect to rap and emo.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

The crowd sings along to pulse-thumping anthems from Britney Spears, Charli XCX and Bad Bunny, with a Paramore sing-along thrown in for everyone’s inner emo babe.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 18, 2026

The club's mixture of styles, from full-on 80s pop to emo rock and sing-a-long power ballads, earned it a reputation, as did an ability to attract a wide variety of people through the doors.

From BBC ● Dec. 26, 2025

Ellis looks more than her usual color of emo blue.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King