rehearse

[ri-hurs]

verb (used with object)

rehearsed, rehearsing 

1. to practice (a musical composition, a play, a speech, etc.) in private prior to a public presentation.

2. to drill or train (an actor, musician, etc.) by rehearsal, as for some performance or part.

3. to relate the facts or particulars of; recount.

   Synonyms: recapitulate, narrate, portray, describe, delineate

verb (used without object)

rehearsed, rehearsing 

1. to rehearse a play, part, etc.; participate in a rehearsal.

rehearse

/ rɪˈhɜːs /

verb

1. to practise (a play, concert, etc), in preparation for public performance

2. (tr) to run through; recount; recite

   the official rehearsed the grievances of the committee

3. (tr) to train or drill (a person or animal) for the public performance of a part in a play, show, etc

Other Word Forms

• rehearsable adjective
• rehearser noun
• unrehearsable adjective
• unrehearsed adjective
• unrehearsing adjective
• well-rehearsed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rehearse¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English rehersen, rehercen, from Middle French rehercier “to repeat,” equivalent to re- “again, over and over” + hercier “to strike, harrow” (derivative of herce, herse “a harrow”); re-, hearse

Word History and Origins

Origin of rehearse¹

C16: from Anglo-Norman rehearser , from Old French rehercier to harrow a second time, from _re- + herce harrow

Synonym Study

See relate.

Example Sentences

"There wasn't any heating, the presenters had maybe two weeks to rehearse," he explained.

Read more on BBC

Opening night marked a benefit for quirky noise rockers Lutefisk, who lived in the area and, like many there, rehearsed at Hully Gully on Fletcher Drive.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Today, the defiance of Mr. Khamenei appears neither scripted nor rehearsed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some pretended to be difficult customers to allow the waitstaff to rehearse for future nitpicking.

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Krakowski, 57, rehearsed for two weeks before starting her limited engagement on Oct.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• go over 
• go through 
• hone 
• recite 
• reenact www.thesaurus.com
• warm up 
• work out