rock

[ rok ]

/ rɒk /

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See synonyms for rock on Thesaurus.com

noun

a large mass of stone forming a hill, cliff, promontory, or the like.

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.

stone in the mass: buildings that stand upon rock.

a stone of any size.

something resembling or suggesting a rock.

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

a firm foundation or support: The Lord is my rock.

Chiefly British. a kind of hard candy, variously flavored.

rock candy.

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

Often rocks .Slang.

a piece of money.
a dollar bill.

Slang.

a diamond.
any gem.

Slang.

crack (def. 33).
a pellet or lump of crack.

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about rock

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

get one's rocks off, Slang: Vulgar. to have an orgasm.

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

First recorded in 1300–50; 1905–10 for def. 12; Middle English rokk(ke), from Old French ro(c)que, roche; compare Spanish, Provençal roca, Italian rocca, Medieval Latin rocha, rocca (becoming late Old English -rocc in stānrocc “stone-rock, obelisk”); cf. roche alum

OTHER WORDS FROM rock

rock·less, adjectiverock·like, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rock

boulder, cobblestone, granule, pebble, rock , stone

Other definitions for rock (2 of 4)

rock²

[ rok ]

/ rɒk /

verb (used without object)

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

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

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

to dance to or play rock music.

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

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

verb (used with object)

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.

to lull in security, hope, etc.

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

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

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.

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

Mining. cradle (def. 22).

noun

a rocking movement: the gentle rock of the boat.

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

adjective

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

OTHER WORDS FOR rock

1 roll, shake.

See synonyms for rock on Thesaurus.com

Origin of rock

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 FROM rock

rock·a·ble, adjectiverock·ing·ly, adverbun·rocked, adjective

Other definitions for rock (3 of 4)

rock³

[ rok ]

/ rɒk /

noun

striped bass.

Origin of rock

First recorded in 1690–1700; short for rockfish

Other definitions for rock (4 of 4)

Rock

[ rok ]

/ rɒk /

noun

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

Houses can be built out of bricks, but Earth is made of rocks.
Scientists Uncover the Universal Geometry of Geology|Joshua Sokol|November 19, 2020|Quanta Magazine
Domokos’ mathematics had predicted that rock shards should average out to cubes.
Scientists Uncover the Universal Geometry of Geology|Joshua Sokol|November 19, 2020|Quanta Magazine
People started sending art rocks to a Texas park during the pandemic.
Utah hospital workers rushed to NYC to help with covid in the spring. NYC workers just returned the favor.|Cathy Free|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
When dark pollutant particles fall on rocks or dirt, they don’t cause much trouble.
Surprising long-haul dust and tar are melting high glaciers|Sid Perkins|November 17, 2020|Science News For Students

The shape of mountains might evolve as time wears them down and rocks below push them up.
Scientists Say: Evolution|Bethany Brookshire|November 16, 2020|Science News For Students
That action ignited protests that rocked Wisconsin and spurred a recall—only the second recall of a governor in U.S. history.
The Next Phase of the Koch Brothers’ War on Unions|Carl Deal and Tia Lessin|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
During the first weekend of filming with Greg, I heard of Cody Wilson and I was emotionally rocked.
What Are We Protecting with Gun Laws?|Jessica Solce|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As the parliamentarians explained what they had seen, explosions rocked the nearby town, accompanied by more plumes of smoke.
U.S. Planes are Blowing the Hell out of ISIS at Kobani, But …|Jamie Dettmer|October 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The recent discovery of a 1,400-victim sex abuse ring in the UK has rocked the country.
The Psychology of Sex Slave Rings|Charlotte Lytton|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Bright orange flames tore through airport buildings as explosions and gunfire rocked the airport compound.
Pakistani Taliban Threatens More Attacks After Deadly Airport Siege|Sami Yousafzai|June 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Could the bleating of the sheep swing in sweeter to the music of the valley as she is rocked to sleep?
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
His childhood, except when he could be rocked and sung into sickly sleep, was one long piteous wail.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
Well enough, replied the older woman, flipping a letter nervously between her fingers as she rocked to and fro.
Those Dale Girls|Frank Weston Carruth
The poor soul may have understood his meaning, or she may not, as she rocked herself to and fro in the roadway.
The Light That Lures|Percy Brebner
At every breath of wind overhead branches rocked with a weird sound of bone creaking.
Menotah|Ernest G. Henham

British Dictionary definitions for rock (1 of 3)

rock¹

/ (rɒk) /

noun

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 coalSee also igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic

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

mainly US, Canadian and Australian a stone

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

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

slang a jewel, esp a diamond

short for rock salmon

(plural) slang the testicles

slang another name for crack (def. 29)

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

on the rocks

in a state of ruin or destitution
(of drinks, esp whisky) served with ice

Word Origin for rock

C14: from Old French roche, of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for rock (2 of 3)

rock²

/ (rɒk) /

verb

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

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

(tr) to shake or move (something) violently

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

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

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

(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

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

noun

a rocking motion

short for rock and roll

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

Word Origin for rock

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

British Dictionary definitions for rock (3 of 3)

Rock

/ (rɒk) /

noun the Rock

an informal name for Gibraltar

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 ]

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.

A piece of such material; a stone.

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

rock

Idioms about rock

Origin of rock

OTHER WORDS FROM rock

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rock

Other definitions for rock (2 of 4)

OTHER WORDS FOR rock

Origin of rock

synonym study for rock

OTHER WORDS FROM rock

Other definitions for rock (3 of 4)

Origin of rock

Other definitions for rock (4 of 4)

Words related to rock

How to use rock in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rock (1 of 3)

Word Origin for rock

British Dictionary definitions for rock (2 of 3)

Word Origin for rock

British Dictionary definitions for rock (3 of 3)

Scientific definitions for rock

Other Idioms and Phrases with rock