hardcore

British

/ ˈhɑːdˌkɔː /

noun

a style of rock music characterized by short fast numbers with minimal melody and aggressive delivery
a type of dance music with a very fast beat

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

Turnstile’s set on the Outdoor Theatre Friday night had some unexpectedly poignant moments from the Baltimore band with hardcore roots.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Fleshwater’s crystalline guitar leads and tidal currents of noise hit so much harder for the revving percussion, which moves with the dexterity of metal and hardcore.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

The 41-year-old went on to explain that she had to make changes to her diet - including ditching caffeine - because she "didn't want to take really hardcore antibiotics".

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

For hardcore techies who know how to lock down their systems or information, it can function very well.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

Anyway, either Bram is a saint, or he’s hardcore sucking up to Mom.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023