yacht rock

American

[yot rok] / ˈyɒt ˌrɒk /

noun

a loosely defined style of smooth music influenced by jazz and rhythm and blues, and associated with the American soft rock of the 1970s and 1980s: perceived as having a natural affinity with sailing or relaxing on a boat.

Etymology

Origin of yacht rock

Coined in 2005 by U.S. writer and filmmaker J. D. Ryznar

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It was yacht rock that sank Amanda Rodriguez.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

But while there are songs of struggle, at least half of the record is a tribute to his partner, especially on the yacht rock of Better Man; and the dreamily devoted Electric Marine Blue.

From BBC • Oct. 22, 2025

Get ready to groove to some French disco with a dash of yacht rock.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2024

It’s not Billy Joel or yacht rock or even East Coast hip-hop.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 19, 2024

Tea has been over for some time, the wind is blowing softly over the deep blue and green patches of water, and makes the yacht rock gently from side to side.

From Zoe; Or, Some Day A Novel by Leonard, May

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023