rehearse

B2 Topic:Theater & Performance

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.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

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

Theater & Performance Actions & Processes Register & Style

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
- Theater & Performance
- Actions & Processes
- Register & Style

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