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music

A1
noun

Pronunciation

UK

  • /mjˈuːzɪk/

US

  • /ˈmjuzɪk/

Description

Music is the art of arranging sounds in a way that can express feeling, tell a story, or simply sound pleasing. From the steady beat of drums to the clear melody of a violin, it is a deep part of human life and culture. It can be a classical symphony, a pop song on the radio, a folk tune, or a dance track. In general, the word refers to sound that people create or organize on purpose. You might listen to music for pleasure, play music as a hobby, or study music at school.

Think about a movie scene: often, it is the music that helps tell you how to feel. A tense thriller uses dark music to build suspense, while a romantic comedy uses bright tunes to create joy. Music is everywhere, from concerts and churches to clubs, shops, and phone apps. It is often called a universal language because people in every culture respond to it.

Examples

  1. 1

    Everyday listening

    I usually listen to music on the bus.

  2. 2

    Preferences

    What kind of music do you like?

  3. 3

    Background sound

    The cafe had soft background music.

  4. 4

    Playing together

    She plays music with friends every Saturday.

  5. 5

    Film composing

    My brother writes music for films.

  6. 6

    Musical notation

    I can't read music, but I can play by ear.

    • Phrase

      read music

      understand written musical notes

  7. 7

    Digital recognition

    The app can identify a piece of music in a few seconds.

    • Phrase

      a piece of music

      one song or musical work

  8. 8

    Song adaptation

    The poem was later set to music.

    • Phrase

      set to music

      made into a song or musical piece

  9. 9

    Pleasant news

    After a long week, that news was music to my ears.

    • Phrase

      music to my ears

      very pleasant news to hear

  10. 10

    Consequences

    If the project fails, someone will have to face the music.

    • Phrase

      face the music

      accept criticism or punishment for something

See also

nounorganized vocal or instrumental sound, especially with rhythm, melody, or harmony

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • listen to music
  • play music
  • classical music
  • live music

Word family

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Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • musicnoun