groove

American  

[groov] / gruv /

noun

1. a long, narrow cut or indentation in a surface, as the cut in a board to receive the tongue of another board tongue-and-groove joint, a furrow, or a natural indentation on an organism.

2. the track or channel of a phonograph record for the needle or stylus.

3. a fixed routine.

   to get into a groove.

   Synonyms:

   pattern, habit, rut

4. Printing. the furrow at the bottom of a piece of type.

5. Slang. an enjoyable time or experience.

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verb (used with object)

grooved, grooving

1. to cut a groove in; furrow.

2. Slang.

   1. to appreciate and enjoy.

   2. to please immensely.

verb (used without object)

grooved, grooving

1. Slang.

   1. to take great pleasure; enjoy oneself.

      He was grooving on the music.

   2. to get along or interact well.

2. to fix in a groove.

idioms

1. in the groove,

   1. in perfect functioning order.

   2. in the popular fashion; up-to-date.

      If you want to be in the groove this summer, you'll need a bikini.

groove British  

/ ɡruːv /

noun

1. a long narrow channel or furrow, esp one cut into wood by a tool

2. the spiral channel, usually V-shaped, in a gramophone record See also microgroove

3. one of the spiral cuts in the bore of a gun

4. anatomy any furrow or channel on a bodily structure or part; sulcus

5. mountaineering a shallow fissure in a rock face or between two rock faces, forming an angle of more than 120°

6. a settled existence, routine, etc, to which one is suited or accustomed, esp one from which it is difficult to escape

7. slang an experience, event, etc, that is groovy

8. 1. jazz playing well and apparently effortlessly, with a good beat, etc

   2. fashionable

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verb

1. (tr) to form or cut a groove in

2. old-fashioned (intr) to enjoy oneself or feel in rapport with one's surroundings

3. (intr) jazz to play well, with a good beat, etc

groove More Idioms  

1. see in the groove.

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Other Word Forms

• grooveless adjective
• groovelike adjective
• groover noun
• regroove verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of groove

1350–1400; Middle English grofe, groof mining shaft; cognate with Middle Dutch groeve, Dutch groef, German Grube pit, ditch; akin to grave ¹

Example Sentences

The grooves supplied by Byrne and Slim take not just the characters but the audience on a ride through a brutal anti-democratic period.

From Los Angeles Times

In frank yet wordy songs that layer guitars and synths over shimmering grooves, Duff sings about trying to overcome old habits and about her fear that her best times are behind her.

From Los Angeles Times

If you struggle with executive functioning at all, you know how much life runs on grooves.

From Salon

To get in the filing groove, may I suggest “Taxman” by the Beatles?

From MarketWatch

"I don't know," said Brook, asked why his side have not found their groove.

From BBC

Related Words

• trench