rehearse

B2 Topic:Art & Music

US /ɹɪˈhɝs/ UK /ɹɪˈhɜːs/ See IPA manual

Freq #8354

Meanings

1

verb
to practise a play, piece of music, speech, or other performance before presenting it publicly

The cast will rehearse the final scene on the main stage tonight.
2

verb
to practise privately or mentally what one plans to say or do

She rehearsed her explanation several times before entering the meeting.
3

verb
formal, often disapproving: to repeat or recount an argument, opinion, or sequence of events

The witness rehearsed the familiar account without adding any new detail.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to practise a play, piece... practise practicerun through

2 verb · to practise privately or... prepare practise review

3 verb · formal, often disapproving:... repeat recite recount

Opposites

improvise extemporize

Word family

Forms rehearsedrehearsing

Derived forms misrehearserehearsablerehearsalrehearsedrehearser

Related forms performance reciterun-through

Etymology

From Middle English rehersen, from Anglo-Norman reherser ("repeat word for word"). The older French verb may literally have meant "harrow again," suggesting going back over the same ground; the performance sense developed from repeated practice.

Topics

Art & Music

External links

# rehearse

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ɹɪˈhɝs/
**IPA (UK):** /ɹɪˈhɜːs/
**Frequency rank:** 8354

## Meanings
1. to practise a play, piece of music, speech, or other performance before presenting it publicly
2. to practise privately or mentally what one plans to say or do
3. formal, often disapproving: to repeat or recount an argument, opinion, or sequence of events

## Examples
- The cast will rehearse the final scene on the main stage tonight.
- She rehearsed her explanation several times before entering the meeting.
- The witness rehearsed the familiar account without adding any new detail.

## Synonyms
- practise
- practice
- run through
- prepare
- repeat
- recount

## Antonyms
- improvise
- extemporize

## Derived Forms
- misrehearse
- rehearsable
- rehearsal
- rehearsed
- rehearser

## Related Forms
- performance
- recite
- run-through

## Etymology
From Middle English rehersen, from Anglo-Norman reherser ("repeat word for word"). The older French verb may literally have meant "harrow again," suggesting going back over the same ground; the performance sense developed from repeated practice.

## Topics
- Art & Music

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