rhythm-and-blues

[ rith -uh m-uh n-blooz ]

/ ˈrɪð əm ənˈbluz /

noun

a folk-based but urbanized form of black popular music that is marked by strong, repetitious rhythms and simple melodies and was developed, in a commercialized form, into rock-'n'-roll.

QUIZZES

Can You Remember Your Favorite Words Of The Day From March?

Even if you’re a habitué of Word of the Day, you haven’t seen our March words in these ways! Challenge yourself to our comprehensive quiz!

Question 1 of 15

What does "habitué" mean?

a person who is especially competent to pass critical judgments in an art, particularly one of the fine arts, or in matters of taste.

a frequent or habitual visitor to a place.

a lazy person who stays in bed long after the usual time for arising.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of rhythm-and-blues

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50

Words nearby rhythm-and-blues

rhythm and blues, rhythm band, rhythm method, rhythm section, rhythm stick, rhythm-and-blues, rhythmic, rhythmic gymnastics, rhythmical, rhythmicity, rhythmics

British Dictionary definitions for rhythm and blues

rhythm and blues

noun

(functioning as singular) any of various kinds of popular music derived from or influenced by the bluesAbbreviation: R & B

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