groove
gb/ɡɹˈuv/ us/ɡɹˈuv/
B2
English
~ 9600
vájat, horony, grúv, lüktetés, kerékvágás, grúvol, a zenére mozog, hornyol, vájatot vág, belejön, belelendül, középre dob, ütésre kínál
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] cuts a groove in [something]
The carpenter cut a groove in the wood so the panel would slide in smoothly.
Az asztalos egy vájatot vágott a fába, hogy a panel simán bele tudjon csúszni.
There was a worn groove in the step where people had walked for years.
A lépcsőfokban kikopott egy vájat ott, ahol az emberek évekig jártak.
The needle follows the tiny groove on the record to play the music.
Rainwater collected in the grooves between the paving stones.
The mechanic showed us the grooves on the brake disc that meant it needed replacing.
Learner examples
He cut a small groove in the table for the glass to sit in.
Egy kis vájatot vágott az asztalba, hogy beleüljön a pohár.
There is a groove in the road where the wheels always go.
Van egy vájat az úton ott, ahol a kerekek mindig futnak.
The record has many little grooves on its surface.
Water runs along the groove and then off the roof.
I could feel the groove in the metal with my finger.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "groove" with "crack" or "scratch". A groove is usually longer, smoother, and often made on purpose, while a crack is a break and a scratch is usually thin, shallow damage.
Meaning
Long narrow cut or channel
Collocations
cut a groove
|deep groove
|shallow groove
|groove in the surface
|groove for the joint
Synonyms
channel (Often suggests a longer, continuous groove that guides movement or flow.)
|
furrow (Commonly used for long grooves in the ground, especially made by a plow.)
Antonyms
ridge (Refers to a raised line on a surface, the opposite of a sunken groove.)
Themes
materials
|technology
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A long, thin cut or line in a surface, often made so another thing can fit or slide there.
A long, narrow cut or hollow line in a surface, often made to guide, fit, or move something.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
[a song] has a [adjective] groove
The band locked into a deep groove that kept everyone on the dance floor.
A zenekar elkapott egy súlyos grúvot, amitől mindenki a táncparketten maradt.
I love the bass groove in this track.
Imádom ebben a számban a basszus grúvját.
The drummer started a simple groove and the others joined in.
This song has a laid‑back groove that’s perfect for relaxing.
They slowed the tempo but kept the same funky groove.
Learner examples
This song has a great groove.
Ennek a dalnak nagyon jó grúvja van.
The drummer plays a simple groove.
A dobos egy egyszerű grúvot játszik.
I like music with a strong groove.
The band found a cool groove together.
The bass gives the song its groove.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "groove" to mean any song or any kind of music. It is more precise: it refers mainly to the rhythmic feel or pattern, not the whole song.
Meaning
Strong, steady musical rhythm
Collocations
funky groove
|steady groove
|danceable groove
|tight groove
|lay down a groove
Synonyms
rhythm (More general; "groove" usually suggests a particularly enjoyable, flowing rhythm.)
|
beat (Refers mainly to the basic pulse; "groove" also includes the feel and pattern around that pulse.)
Antonyms
no rhythm (Describes music or playing that lacks the steady, attractive pattern that a groove has.)
Themes
music
|entertainment
|arts_entertainment
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A strong, repeating beat in music that feels good and makes you want to move.
A strong, steady rhythmic pattern in music, especially one that feels pleasant and makes people want to move or dance.
NOUN
B2
3
kerékvágás
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] gets into a groove with [something]
After a few weeks, she found her groove in the new job.
Néhány hét után megtalálta a helyét az új munkájában.
It took us a while to get back into our groove after the holidays.
Beletelt egy kis időbe, mire az ünnepek után visszazökkentünk a kerékvágásba.
Once the team hit its groove, the work went much faster.
I finally got into a study groove before the exams.
After an awkward start, the singer slipped into his groove and relaxed.
Learner examples
I need time to get into my groove at work.
Idő kell, hogy belejöjjek a munkába.
After the move, it took us a month to find our groove again.
A költözés után egy hónapba telt, mire újra megtaláltuk a ritmusunkat.
The team lost its groove in the second half of the game.
She is back in her groove now that school has started.
When I wake up early, I feel like I am in a good groove.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this meaning with the musical meaning and say things like *"This job has a good groove"* when they mean their own personal rhythm doing the job. It is more natural to say "I found my groove" or "We got into a groove."
Meaning
Comfortable, effective routine or flow
Collocations
get into a groove
|find your groove
|back in the groove
|fall into a groove
|same old groove
Synonyms
routine (More neutral; "groove" often suggests that the routine feels natural and productive.)
|
flow (Focuses more on the feeling of smooth progress; "groove" includes both habit and performance.)
Antonyms
disruption (Breaks or prevents the smooth, regular pattern that a groove describes.)
Themes
work
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A way of doing things that feels regular, comfortable, and works well.
A way of working or living that is regular, comfortable, and effective, often after an initial adjustment period.
VERB
B2
INFORMAL
4
grúvol
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone] grooves to [music]
Everyone was grooving to the band at the festival.
A fesztiválon mindenki a zenekar zenéjére grúvolt.
We just sat in the back and grooved to some old jazz records.
Mi csak hátul ültünk, és néhány régi jazzlemezre grúvoltunk.
By the second song, the whole crowd was grooving along.
They like to groove to loud funk on Friday nights.
He closed his eyes and grooved to the slow beat.
Learner examples
People were grooving to the music at the party.
A buliban az emberek a zenére grúvoltak.
She likes to groove to hip‑hop in her room.
Szeret hiphopra grúvolni a szobájában.
We grooved to the band for two hours.
The children groove to the song in class.
He grooves to music when he cleans the house.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes write *"groove the music"* instead of "groove to the music". Use the preposition "to" when you mean moving in time with the music.
Meaning
Dance or move to music happily
Collocations
groove to the music
|groove along
|groove all night
|groove together
Synonyms
dance (More general; "groove" suggests a looser, more relaxed and rhythmic style.)
Antonyms
stand still (Describes not moving to the music, the opposite of grooving.)
Themes
music
|leisure
|arts_entertainment
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To dance or move your body to music in a happy, relaxed way.
To move or dance in a relaxed, rhythmic way to music, often with obvious enjoyment.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
5
hornyol
C1
vájatot vág
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] grooves [something] for [a part or purpose]
The machinist grooved the metal rod so the ring would snap into place.
Az esztergályos behornyolta a fémrudat, hogy a gyűrű bepattanhasson a helyére.
You need to groove the edge of the board before you glue it to the other piece.
Mielőtt a másik darabhoz ragasztod, be kell hornyolnod a deszka szélét.
The pipe is grooved to allow the seal to sit tightly.
They grooved the concrete to control cracking.
The pulley is deeply grooved so the cable does not slip off.
Learner examples
The worker grooved the wood with a special tool.
A munkás egy speciális szerszámmal behornyolta a fát.
They grooved the pipe so a ring could fit inside.
Behornyolták a csövet, hogy egy gyűrű beleférjen.
He grooved the floor to guide the water.
The wheel is grooved to hold the belt.
The edges are grooved so the two parts can join.
Meaning
Cut a long narrow channel
Collocations
groove the surface
|grooved joint
|grooved wheel
|groove the edge
Synonyms
score (Means to cut a line into a surface; not always as deep or functional as a groove.)
Antonyms
smooth (To remove cuts or channels and make a surface flat, the opposite of grooving it.)
Themes
engineering
|construction
|work
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make a long, thin line or space in a surface so that something can fit or move there.
To cut or form a long, narrow channel in a surface, typically to guide, join, or fit another part.
VERB
B2
INFORMAL
6
belejön
B1
belelendül
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is grooving with [an activity]
The team started slowly, but by the second half they were really grooving.
A csapat lassan kezdett, de a második félidőre igazán belejött.
Once we got past the first few pages, the writing session began to groove.
Miután túljutottunk az első néhány oldalon, az írás már gördülékenyen ment.
It took the new members a while to groove with the rest of the band.
After a chaotic first week, the project finally began to groove.
The players are grooving together nicely this season.
Learner examples
The band was grooving after a few songs.
A zenekar néhány szám után belejött.
At first I was nervous, but then I started to groove at work.
Eleinte ideges voltam, de aztán belejöttem a munkába.
The team is grooving well this year.
After a slow start, the game began to groove for us.
When we practice more, we will groove together.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "groove" only with music. In modern English it can also describe working, playing sports, or any activity that starts to feel smooth and easy.
Meaning
Start working or performing smoothly
Collocations
really grooving now
|team is grooving
|band is grooving
|groove together
Synonyms
click (Informally means that things suddenly start to work well together; "groove" emphasizes the ongoing smoothness.)
Antonyms
struggle (Describes working with difficulty instead of in a smooth groove.)
Themes
work
|sports
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To begin to work or perform in a way that feels smooth, easy, and good.
To reach a state of doing something in a smooth, confident, and effective way, often after some warm‑up time.
VERB
C1
SLANG
7
középre dob
C1
ütésre kínál
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone] grooves a [type of ball]
The pitcher accidentally grooved a fastball and it was hit for a home run.
A dobó véletlenül középre dobta a gyorslabdát, és home run lett belőle.
You can groove a few pitches in batting practice, but not in a real game.
Ütőedzésen még bedobhatsz néhány labdát középre, de éles meccsen nem.
He grooved one right down the middle and the batter crushed it.
The coach told him not to groove his first serve.
She grooved the ball perfectly for her teammate to smash.
Learner examples
The pitcher grooved a fastball and the batter hit it far.
A dobó középre dobta a gyorslabdát, és az ütő messzire elütötte.
Do not groove the ball when the game is close.
Ne dobd középre a labdát, amikor szoros a meccs.
He grooved one and lost the game.
The coach said the pitcher was grooving too many pitches.
In practice, the pitcher grooves the ball so we can hit it.
Common mistake:
This use is mainly sports slang. Learners may think it has the musical meaning. In baseball, if you "groove" a pitch, you throw it in a very easy place for the hitter.
Meaning
Throw or hit an easy, central ball
Collocations
groove a fastball
|grooved pitch
|groove one down the middle
Synonyms
serve up (Sports slang for giving an opponent an easy ball or chance, similar to grooving a pitch.)
Antonyms
jam (In baseball, to jam a hitter is to throw inside so it is hard to hit, the opposite of grooving a pitch.)
Themes
sports
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In sports, to throw or hit a ball in a way that makes it very easy to hit.
In sports, especially baseball, to throw or hit a ball in a straight, central path that is easy for the hitter to hit well.
Grammar
Dictionary form
groove
IPA
GB/ɡɹˈuv/
US/ɡɹˈuv/
Syllables & stress
groove (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (groove)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: groove
- Plural: grooves
Verb
- Base: groove
- 3rd Person Singular: grooves
- Present Participle: grooving
- Past: grooved
Word family
Forms
grooves
noun
grooving
verb
grooved
verb
Related words
groovy
adjective
Expressions
a nice groove
10/ə nˈaɪs ɡɹˈuv/
fixed phrase
informal
Pleasant, steady musical rhythm
A musical rhythm that feels good and is easy to listen or dance to.
Examples
- This track has a really nice groove.
- The band found a nice groove halfway through the song.
- I like songs with a nice groove more than fast ones.
back in the groove
3/bˈæk ˈɪn ðə ɡɹˈuv/
fixed phrase
informal
Return to smooth, usual form
Doing things again in your usual, comfortable, and good way after a break or problem.
Examples
- After the long vacation, it took me a week to feel back in the groove.
- The player is finally back in the groove after his injury.
- Once school started, she was back in the groove of getting up early.
fall into a groove
6/fˈɔl ˈɪntu ə ɡɹˈuv/
idiom
Develop a regular, comfortable routine
To slowly start doing something in a regular, easy way without thinking too much about it.
Examples
- After a few weeks, we fell into a groove with our new schedule.
- The players quickly fell into a groove and stopped making mistakes.
- Once you fall into a groove, the work seems much lighter.
find your groove
5/fˈaɪnd jˈʊɹ ɡɹˈuv/
idiom
informal
Discover a natural, effective way
To discover how you like to do something so that it feels natural and works well for you.
Examples
- She struggled at first, but she found her groove in the second year of college.
- As a writer, it took me years to find my groove.
- Keep practicing until you find your groove on the guitar.
get into the groove
2/ɡˈɛt ˈɪntu ðə ɡɹˈuv/
idiom
informal
Start to work smoothly and comfortably
To start doing something in a way that feels regular, easy, and right for you.
Examples
- It took me a few weeks to get into the groove at my new job.
- After the break, it was hard to get back into the groove of studying.
- Once you get into the groove, this exercise becomes much easier.
groove on [something]
8/ɡɹˈuv ˈɔn sˈʌmθɪŋ/
phrasal verb
slang
Really enjoy or be into something
To enjoy something very much or be very interested in it, often for a long time.
Examples
- He grooves on old jazz records all weekend.
- These days I really groove on learning new languages.
- They were grooving on the idea of starting their own business.
groove to [music]
7/ɡɹˈuv tə mjˈuzɪk/
fixed phrase
informal
Dance or move with music
To dance or move your body in a relaxed way while you listen to music.
Examples
- People were grooving to the music in the club.
- We sat on the couch and grooved to some old soul records.
- They love to groove to live bands on the weekend.
in the groove
1/ˈɪn ðə ɡɹˈuv/
idiom
informal
Performing smoothly and confidently
Working or performing in a way that feels smooth, easy, and very good.
Examples
- Once the singer warmed up, she was really in the groove.
- Give him a few minutes and he’ll be in the groove.
- The team is in the groove now and winning every game.
out of the groove
4/ˈaʊt əv ðə ɡɹˈuv/
idiom
informal
Not performing as smoothly as usual
Not doing something as smoothly or well as you usually do, often after a break.
Examples
- I feel a bit out of the groove after being away from work for so long.
- The team looked out of the groove in the first half.
- He’s been out of the groove with his training lately.
same old groove
9/sˈeɪm ˈoʊld ɡɹˈuv/
fixed phrase
informal
Boring, unchanging routine
The same routine every day that feels boring because it never changes.
Examples
- I’m tired of the same old groove at work every day.
- He’s stuck in the same old groove and won’t try anything new.
- She wanted to break out of her same old groove and travel.