rock
1a stone of any size: Please leave the creek rocks in place, as they can be habitats for bugs and other important creatures.
stone in the mass: It may be difficult to dig a basement for buildings that stand upon rock.
a large mass of stone forming a hill, cliff, promontory, or the like: They climbed up a nearby rock to eat their picnic lunch.
something resembling or suggesting a stone or mass of stone.
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.
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.
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.
rocks .Informal. ice cubes for use in a beverage: He usually orders a whiskey without rocks.
Slang.
a diamond.
any gem.
Usually rocks .Slang: Vulgar. testes.
Often rocks .Slang.
a piece of money.
a dollar bill.
Slang.
a pellet or lump of crack.
curling stone: Regulation weight is verified for each rock before the curling match can begin.
Idioms about rock
between a rock and a hard place, between undesirable alternatives.
get one's rocks off, Slang: Vulgar.
to have an orgasm.
to experience gratification; get thrills.
Origin of rock
1Other words from rock
- rock·less, adjective
- rock·like, adjective
Words that may be confused with rock
- boulder, cobblestone, granule, pebble, rock , stone
Other definitions for rock (2 of 4)
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.
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).
a rocking movement: the gentle rock of the boat.
Origin of rock
2synonym study For rock
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)
Origin of rock
3Other definitions for Rock (4 of 4)
a male given name.
- Also Rock·y [rok-ee] /ˈrɒk i/ .
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use rock in a sentence
As we just said, when your opponent played rock or paper, you should play paper.
Walking around on the surface of the Earth every day, it’s easy to forget that a superhot pool of melted rock lies deep beneath our feet.
Most suspect the balls form when airborne moss spores gain a foothold on a small rock or similar debris.
On an Alaskan glacier, little green moss balls roll in herds | Beth Geiger | July 30, 2020 | Science News For StudentsThe instruments will seek signs of ancient microbes preserved in Martian rocks and soil, and help scientists decide which rocks to store for a future mission to return to Earth.
NASA’s Perseverance rover will seek signs of past life on Mars | Lisa Grossman | July 28, 2020 | Science NewsThe fossil was pulled from roughly 110 million-year-old rocks in Alberta, Canada.
Fossil stomach reveals a dinosaur’s last meal | Carolyn Wilke | July 7, 2020 | Science News For Students
And think of world-rocking changes in gender roles and expectations.
This One Picture of Telly Savalas Refutes All Fears That Progress Has Ended | Nick Gillespie | October 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTFor other worlds, we usually have to rely on other data: fluctuations in gravity, or the gentle rocking motion known as libration.
The involvement of Huda-Par and the Grey Wolves in the violence rocking the southeast augurs badly.
Kobani is Falling to ISIS in Syria. Kurd Protests Explode in Turkey. | Jamie Dettmer | October 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe horseman, aka Abraham, is actually passably cute, with a rocking bod and apparently steady source of income.
Naked Ben Franklin Christens the Campy Return of ‘Sleepy Hollow’ | Amy Zimmerman | September 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe mattress causes the boat to tip forward, and in the ensuing rocking the boat begins to take on water.
Whatever You Do Someone Will Die. A Short Story About Impossible Choices in Iraq | Nathan Bradley Bethea | August 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMr. Crow was rocking back and forth on his perch, for a joke—on anybody except himself—always delighted him.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole | Arthur Scott BaileyThere was a very audible titter in the corner where three thoughtless young girls had squeezed themselves into one rocking-chair.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson LloydBy this time the bent figure sitting in the rocking-chair, near the coffin began to show signs of life and whimper a little.
The Cromptons | Mary J. Holmes"It's curious how attached one gets to a dog," said Perry sagely, resuming his rocking from heel to toe and toe to heel.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson LloydThere was a lump in Perry's throat at that moment, and he stopped his rocking and turned to the fire, so his back was toward me.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson Lloyd
British Dictionary definitions for rock (1 of 3)
/ (rɒk) /
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
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
Origin of rock
1British Dictionary definitions for rock (2 of 3)
/ (rɒk) /
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
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
Origin of rock
2- See also rock up
British Dictionary definitions for Rock (3 of 3)
/ (rɒk) /
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
[ 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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with 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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