rock

1
[ rok ]
See synonyms for rock on Thesaurus.com
noun

  1. a stone of any size: Please leave the creek rocks in place, as they can be habitats for bugs and other important creatures.

  2. stone in the mass: It may be difficult to dig a basement for buildings that stand upon rock.

  1. a large mass of stone forming a hill, cliff, promontory, or the like: They climbed up a nearby rock to eat their picnic lunch.

  2. something resembling or suggesting a stone or mass of stone.

  3. Geology.

    • mineral matter of variable composition, consolidated or unconsolidated, assembled in masses or considerable quantities in nature, as by the action of heat or water.

    • a particular kind of such matter: igneous rock.

  4. a firm foundation or support: They have been a rock in my world, always there when I need a message of hope.My faith is my rock in times of trouble.

  5. Chiefly British. a kind of hard candy often shaped into a cylindrical stick, variously flavored: The textures of this dessert are inspired by boiled sweets like sticks of rock and candy canes.

  6. rock candy.

  7. rocks .Informal. ice cubes for use in a beverage: He usually orders a whiskey without rocks.

  8. Slang.

    • a diamond.

    • any gem.

  9. Usually rocks .Slang: Vulgar. testes.

  10. Often rocks .Slang.

    • a piece of money.

    • a dollar bill.

  11. Slang.

  12. curling stone: Regulation weight is verified for each rock before the curling match can begin.

Idioms about rock

  1. between a rock and a hard place, between undesirable alternatives.

  2. get one's rocks off, Slang: Vulgar.

    • to have an orgasm.

    • to experience gratification; get thrills.

  1. on the rocks, Informal.

    • in or into a state of disaster or ruin: Their marriage is on the rocks.

    • without funds; destitute; bankrupt.

    • (of a beverage, especially liquor or a cocktail) with, or containing, ice cubes: Scotch on the rocks;a vodka martini on the rocks.

Origin of rock

1
First recorded in 1300–50; 1905–10 for def. 10; Middle English rokk(ke), from Old French roche, ro(c)que; compare Provençal, Spanish roca, Italian rocca, Medieval Latin rocca, rocha (becoming late Old English -rocc in stānrocc “stone-rock, obelisk”); cf. roche alum

Other words from rock

  • rock·less, adjective
  • rock·like, adjective

Words that may be confused with rock

Words Nearby rock

Other definitions for rock (2 of 4)

rock2
[ rok ]
verb (used without object)

  1. to move or sway to and fro or from side to side.

  2. to be moved or swayed powerfully with excitement, emotion, etc.

  1. Mining. (of sand or gravel) to be washed in a cradle.

  2. to dance to or play rock music.

  3. (of popular music) to have the driving beat characteristic of rock.

  4. Slang. to be very good, impressive, exciting, or effective: This show really rocks.

verb (used with object)

  1. to move or sway to and fro or from side to side, especially gently and soothingly: Oh, look! Her big brother is rocking the baby to sleep.

  2. to lull in security, hope, etc.

  1. to affect deeply; move or sway powerfully, as with emotion; stun: Everyone in the courtroom was rocked by the verdict.

  2. to shake or disturb violently: A thunderous explosion rocked the waterfront.

  3. Slang.

    • to stir up; animate: We're gonna rock this joint tonight!

    • to use, wear, or display in a showy, self-confident manner or to great effect: Only you could rock that hat!The game rocks some amazing new features.

  4. Graphic Arts. to roughen the surface of (a copperplate) with a rocker preparatory to scraping a mezzotint.

  5. Mining. cradle (def. 22).

noun

  1. a rocking movement: the gentle rock of the boat.

  2. rock-'n'-roll (def. 1).

adjective

  1. rock-'n'-roll (def. 2).

Origin of rock

2
First recorded in 1100–50; Middle English rokken, rocken, rocke(n) “to rock (a cradle),”Old English roccian; cognate with Middle Dutch rocken “to stir, make move,” German rücken “to move, shift,” Old Norse rykkja “to jerk, pull”

synonym study For rock

1. See swing1.

Other words for rock

Other words from rock

  • rock·a·ble, adjective
  • rock·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·rocked, adjective

Other definitions for rock (3 of 4)

rock3
[ rok ]
noun

  1. striped bass.

Origin of rock

3
First recorded in 1690–1700; short for rockfish

Other definitions for Rock (4 of 4)

Rock
[ rok ]
noun

  1. a male given name.

  • Also Rock·y [rok-ee] /ˈrɒk i/ .

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use rock in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rock (1 of 3)

rock1

/ (rɒk) /

noun

  1. geology any aggregate of minerals that makes up part of the earth's crust. It may be unconsolidated, such as a sand, clay, or mud, or consolidated, such as granite, limestone, or coal: See also igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic

  2. any hard mass of consolidated mineral matter, such as a boulder

  1. mainly US, Canadian and Australian a stone

  2. a person or thing suggesting a rock, esp in being dependable, unchanging, or providing firm foundation

  3. British a hard sweet, typically a long brightly-coloured peppermint-flavoured stick, sold esp in holiday resorts

  4. slang a jewel, esp a diamond

  5. short for rock salmon

  6. (plural) slang the testicles

  7. slang another name for crack (def. 29)

  8. between a rock and a hard place having to choose between two equally unpleasant alternatives

  9. on the rocks

    • in a state of ruin or destitution

    • (of drinks, esp whisky) served with ice

Origin of rock

1
C14: from Old French roche, of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for rock (2 of 3)

rock2

/ (rɒk) /

verb

  1. to move or cause to move from side to side or backwards and forwards

  2. to reel or sway or cause (someone) to reel or sway, as with a violent shock or emotion

  1. (tr) to shake or move (something) violently

  2. (intr) to dance in the rock-and-roll style

  3. mining to wash (ore) or (of ore) to be washed in a cradle

  4. (tr) to roughen (a copper plate) with a rocker before engraving a mezzotint

  5. (tr) slang, mainly US to impress by wearing (an item of clothing) or playing (a musical instrument): She can still rock a miniskirt; He rocks a guitar like nobody’s business

  6. rock the boat informal to create a disturbance in the existing situation

noun

  1. a rocking motion

  2. short for rock and roll

  1. Also called: rock music any of various styles of pop music having a heavy beat, derived from rock and roll

Origin of rock

2
Old English roccian; related to Middle Dutch, Old High German rocken, German rücken

British Dictionary definitions for Rock (3 of 3)

Rock

/ (rɒk) /

nounthe Rock

  1. an informal name for Gibraltar

  2. a Canadian informal name for Newfoundland

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

Scientific definitions for rock

rock

[ rŏk ]

  1. A relatively hard, naturally occurring mineral material. Rock can consist of a single mineral or of several minerals that are either tightly compacted or held together by a cementlike mineral matrix. The three main types of rock are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

  2. A piece of such material; a stone.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other Idioms and Phrases with rock

rock

In addition to the idioms beginning with rock

  • rock bottom
  • rocks in one's head, have
  • rock the boat

also see:

  • between a rock and a hard place
  • on the rocks
  • steady as a rock

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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