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

You will walk away with a clear definition of what — and isn’t — yacht rock, and a deep familiarity with the canonical works of the genre.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 26, 2024

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

From Seattle Times • Feb. 19, 2024

The short version of the story is I was on the way to my brother's wedding and the radio in our car was stuck on this yacht rock station.

From BBC • Jun. 20, 2023

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