Emo Definition & Meaning

American

British

Etymology

Examples

emo American [ee-moh] / ˈi moʊ /

noun

1. emocore.

2. a type of guitar-based rock music developed from emocore but having a softer, pop or mainstream sound.

3. a fan of emo, especially a person who is overly sensitive, emotional, and full of angst, or who adopts a certain style characterized by dyed black hair, tight t-shirts and skinny jeans, etc.

4. a person who is overly sensitive or emotional.

5. emotional display; emotion.

   The storyline had too much emo and not enough substance.

adjective

1. noting or relating to the type of music called emo or emocore.

   emo albums of the late 1990s.

2. of or relating to a fan of emo, or to the lifestyle, dress, etc., typical of such a person.

   emo teens;

   emo fashion.

3. overly sensitive or emotional.

emo British / ˈiːməʊ /

noun

1. 1. a type of music combining traditional hard rock with personal and emotional lyrics

   2. ( as modifier )

      emo bands

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of emo

First recorded in 1985-90; shortening of emocore

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.

Narrated by a woman who fears thinking fondly of an ex after “I find somebody new and I’m about to say ‘I do,’” “Wedding Dress” is a gorgeous downer — the kind of tune that’s made Moroney country music’s reigning “emo cowgirl” since her viral hit “Tennessee Orange” went to No. 1 in 2023.

From Los Angeles Times

The emo pop-punk track is a favorite of Harvey, whose distinctive Betty Boop tone is integral to XG’s edge.

From Los Angeles Times

The crowd sings along to pulse-thumping anthems from Britney Spears, Charli XCX and Bad Bunny, with a Paramore sing-along thrown in for everyone’s inner emo babe.

From Los Angeles Times

The club's mixture of styles, from full-on 80s pop to emo rock and sing-a-long power ballads, earned it a reputation, as did an ability to attract a wide variety of people through the doors.

From BBC

I booked the indie, ska, emo, screamo and pop punk stuff.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.