groove

[groov]

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.

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.

groove

/ 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

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of groove¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of groove¹

C15: from obsolete Dutch groeve, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German gruoba pit, Old Norse grof

Idioms and Phrases

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.

see in the groove.

Example Sentences

Rohit weathered the storm and crunched two sixes in three balls off Mitchell Owen in the 19th over as he got into his groove, reaching a 59th half-century off 74 balls.

Read more on Barron's

The music has the relaxed grooves of Mr. Parker’s trademark sound backed by Mr. McCraven’s energetic and inventive percussion.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She scored in the Euro 2025 final and found her groove for her club, playing a crucial role throughout the season in front of goal and with her work off the ball.

Read more on BBC

“He was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of human. A true legend of legends. And his spirit will live forever in every groove, every stage, every memory,” it said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The bebop groove abandons James, too, slowing into jagged drum solos.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• trench