rhythm
gb/ɹˈɪðəm/ us/ɹˈɪðəm/
B1
English
~ 8100
ritmus, metrum, ritmusérzék
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
the rhythm of [a song / the music]
The drummer kept a steady rhythm throughout the song.
A dobos az egész dal alatt egyenletes ritmust tartott.
This track has a simple rhythm that beginners can play easily.
Ennek a számnak egyszerű ritmusa van, amit a kezdők is könnyen el tudnak játszani.
The rhythm suddenly changed, and the dancers had to adjust.
She clapped along to the rhythm of the music.
The guitar and bass create a strong rhythm behind the singer.
Learner examples
The rhythm of this song is slow.
Ennek a dalnak lassú a ritmusa.
I like music with a clear rhythm.
Szeretem az olyan zenét, amelynek jól hallható a ritmusa.
He uses a drum machine to make a strong rhythm.
The band practiced until the rhythm was perfect.
Can you feel the rhythm when you listen to this track?
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'rhythm' with 'tempo'. 'Rhythm' is the pattern of beats (for example, long–short–short–long), while 'tempo' is how fast or slow the music is played. Another mistake is spelling it incorrectly as *rythm* or *rythem*; the correct spelling is *rhythm*.
Meaning
regular pattern of beats in music
Collocations
steady rhythm
|strong rhythm
|driving rhythm
|catchy rhythm
|dance rhythm
|rhythm section
Synonyms
beat (Refers to a single pulse or the basic unit of time in music; 'rhythm' is the overall pattern of beats.)
|
tempo (Refers to how fast or slow the music is; 'rhythm' is the pattern, not the speed.)
Antonyms
irregularity (Describes a lack of a clear, repeating pattern in beats, which is the opposite of rhythm in music.)
Themes
music
|art
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The pattern of beats in music that makes you want to move or tap your foot.
The regular pattern of strong and weak beats that organizes the timing of a piece of music.
NOUN
B2
2
ritmus
B1
Usage pattern:
a regular rhythm of [something]
The doctor listened carefully to the rhythm of her heart.
Az orvos figyelmesen hallgatta a szívverésének ritmusát.
Ocean waves hit the rocks with a slow, steady rhythm.
Az óceán hullámai lassú, egyenletes ritmusban csapódtak a szikláknak.
I focused on the rhythm of my breathing to calm down.
The machine made a clicking rhythm as it worked.
Jet lag can disturb your natural sleep rhythm.
Learner examples
The baby fell asleep to the rhythm of the train.
A baba elaludt a vonat zakatolásának ritmusára.
He could feel the rhythm of his heartbeat after the run.
Futás után érezte a szívverésének ritmusát.
The fan made a soft, regular rhythm in the room.
Try to match your steps to the rhythm of your breathing.
Light controls can change the rhythm of plant growth.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use only 'beat' for all regular patterns, but 'beat' is mostly used for music or a single hit. For things like the heart or breathing, 'rhythm' is more natural: 'heart rhythm', not *heart beat pattern* (except when specifically saying 'heartbeat').
Meaning
regular repeated pattern of movement/sound
Collocations
heart rhythm
|breathing rhythm
|natural rhythm
|regular rhythm
|circadian rhythm
|rhythm of the waves
Synonyms
pattern (A very general word for how things repeat or are arranged; 'rhythm' is specifically a regular, often time-based pattern.)
|
cycle (Emphasizes the full repeated sequence over time; 'rhythm' highlights the repeating timing or beat within that cycle.)
Antonyms
disorder (Suggests a lack of an ordered, repeating pattern, which contrasts with a stable rhythm in sounds or movements.)
Themes
science
|nature
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A regular pattern of sounds or movements, like a heartbeat or breathing, that repeats in the same way again and again.
A regular, repeated pattern of sounds or movements in natural or mechanical processes, not limited to music.
NOUN
B2
3
ritmus
B1
Usage pattern:
the rhythm of [life / work / the day]
After a few weeks, she found a comfortable rhythm in her new job.
Néhány hét után kényelmes ritmust talált az új munkájában.
The long holidays broke the usual rhythm of the school year.
A hosszú szünetek megtörték a tanév megszokott ritmusát.
City life has a much faster rhythm than life in the countryside.
Once the meeting started, we quickly got into a productive rhythm.
Traveling often can disturb your normal sleep–wake rhythm.
Learner examples
I need time to find my rhythm in this new job.
Időre van szükségem, hogy megtaláljam a ritmusomat ebben az új munkában.
The move to another country changed the rhythm of my life.
A másik országba költözés megváltoztatta az életem ritmusát.
Our team lost its rhythm after the manager left.
Working from home has a different rhythm from office work.
After the holidays, it is hard to return to the old rhythm.
Common mistake:
Learners may say *the routine of life* when they want to talk about both the pattern and the feeling of flow or speed. 'Routine' is correct but sounds more fixed and possibly boring; 'rhythm of life' is more about the natural pattern and pace. Also, avoid saying *my rhythm is very busy*; better is 'my life has a very busy rhythm' or 'my schedule is very busy'.
Meaning
usual pattern or pace of life
Collocations
daily rhythm
|work rhythm
|rhythm of life
|slow rhythm
|fast rhythm
|change of rhythm
Synonyms
routine (Focuses on repeated actions or habits; 'rhythm' adds a sense of natural flow and timing.)
|
pace (Emphasizes speed (fast/slow); 'rhythm' includes both speed and the repeating pattern.)
Antonyms
disruption (A break or disturbance in the normal pattern of activities, the opposite of a stable rhythm in life or work.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|time
|daily_life
Definition
The regular way things happen again and again in daily life or work, and how fast or slow they feel.
The usual, repeated pattern and pace of activities or events in a person’s life, work, or in a situation.
NOUN
C1
4
ritmus
B1
Usage pattern:
the rhythm of [speech / a poem / the lines / the dance]
The poet paid close attention to the rhythm of every line.
A költő gondosan ügyelt minden sor ritmusára.
Her speech had a natural rhythm that kept the audience engaged.
A beszédének természetes ritmusa volt, ami lekötötte a közönséget.
The director changed the editing rhythm to make the scene feel more tense.
Read the paragraph aloud to hear its rhythm.
The choreography uses simple steps but a very complex rhythm.
Learner examples
This poem has a slow, soft rhythm.
Ennek a versnek lassú, lágy ritmusa van.
I like the rhythm of his speaking voice.
Tetszik a beszédhangjának a ritmusa.
The writer changes the rhythm of the sentences to show emotion.
The dance teacher asked us to feel the rhythm of the steps.
Good actors control the rhythm of their lines.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes talk about the 'tone' of a poem or speech when they actually mean its sound pattern. 'Tone' is about attitude or feeling, while 'rhythm' is about the pattern of stressed and unstressed sounds or beats. Also, avoid saying *the rhythm is beautiful written*; say 'the rhythm is beautiful' or 'it is beautifully written'.
Meaning
pattern and flow in language or movement
Collocations
poetic rhythm
|natural rhythm
|awkward rhythm
|speech rhythm
|rhythm of the language
|rhythm of the lines
Synonyms
cadence (Often used for the rise and fall of the voice or sentence endings; 'rhythm' is broader and covers the whole pattern.)
|
flow (A general word for smooth movement or sound; 'rhythm' highlights the structured, often repeating pattern within that flow.)
Antonyms
disjointedness (Describes speech, writing, or movement that lacks smooth, connected rhythm.)
Themes
art
|communication
|literature
|arts_entertainment
Definition
The way sounds, words, or movements repeat and flow in speech, writing, or performance, making them feel smooth or musical.
The pattern and flow created by stressed and unstressed elements in language, or by repeated movements in performance such as dance or film editing.
NOUN
B2
5
ritmusérzék
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] has (no) rhythm
She has a great sense of rhythm and learns new dances quickly.
Nagyon jó ritmusérzéke van, és gyorsan megtanulja az új táncokat.
I can sing, but I have no rhythm when it comes to dancing.
Énekelni tudok, de ha táncról van szó, nincs ritmusérzékem.
Drummers need excellent rhythm to hold the band together.
The teacher said the child showed strong rhythm for his age.
He lost the rhythm halfway through the song and had to restart.
Learner examples
He has no rhythm, so dancing is hard for him.
Nincs ritmusérzéke, ezért nehéz neki a tánc.
Good rhythm is important for a drummer.
Egy dobosnak fontos a jó ritmusérzék.
The music teacher helps students improve their rhythm.
She moves with perfect rhythm to the music.
I clap along to practice my rhythm.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *good in rhythm* or *good with rhythm*. More natural phrases are 'have good rhythm', 'have a good sense of rhythm', or 'be very rhythmic' (adjective).
Meaning
ability to feel and keep a beat
Collocations
sense of rhythm
|good rhythm
|no rhythm
|natural rhythm
|keep the rhythm
|clap in rhythm
Synonyms
timing (Focuses on doing something at the right moment; 'rhythm' is the broader musical or movement sense of timing and beat.)
|
musicality (A general musical talent; 'rhythm' is specifically about feeling and reproducing beats and patterns.)
Antonyms
clumsiness (Describes poor control of movement, often including a poor sense of rhythm when dancing or moving to music.)
Themes
music
|skills
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The skill to feel and keep a beat correctly when you play music, sing, or dance.
The ability to feel, understand, and reproduce regular beats or patterns accurately, especially in music or dance.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rhythm
IPA
GB/ɹˈɪðəm/
US/ɹˈɪðəm/
Syllables & stress
rhythm (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (rhythm)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: rhythm
- Plural: rhythm, rhythms
Word family
Forms
rhythms
noun
Core family
rhythmic
adjective B2
rhythmically
adverb
Related words
rhythmical
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unrhythmic
adjective
Advanced or less common
arrhythmia
noun
arrhythmic
adjective
Expressions
break the rhythm
1/bɹˈeɪk ðə ɹˈɪðəm/
idiom
interrupt a regular rhythm or flow
To stop or disturb a regular pattern or flow, in music, movement, or activities.
Examples
- A loud noise broke the rhythm of her speech.
- Don’t check your phone; it will break your writing rhythm.
- The mistake broke the rhythm of the dance.
change of rhythm
1/t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ əv ɹˈɪðəm/
fixed phrase
shift in pattern or pace
A move from one pattern or speed to a different one, in music, activities, or life.
Examples
- The song has a sudden change of rhythm in the middle.
- A holiday can be a nice change of rhythm from everyday life.
- The director used a change of rhythm to surprise the audience.
find your rhythm
1/fˈaɪnd jˈʊɹ ɹˈɪðəm/
idiom
discover a pattern that suits you
To discover a way of working or living that feels natural and works well for you.
Examples
- Once you find your rhythm at this company, the days go quickly.
- New parents need time to find their rhythm with the baby.
- It took me a semester to find my rhythm at university.
get into a rhythm
1/ɡˈɛt ˈɪntu ə ɹˈɪðəm/
idiom
settle into a regular pattern
To reach a point where you do something in a regular, comfortable way, often after a short time of practice or adjustment.
Examples
- After a few days, I got into a rhythm with my new job.
- The team got into a rhythm and finished the work quickly.
- It took me a while to get into a rhythm with online classes.
have a (good) sense of rhythm
1/hˈæv ə ɡˈʊd sˈɛns əv ɹˈɪðəm/
fixed phrase
possess good rhythmic ability
To be able to feel and keep a beat well, especially in music or dance.
Examples
- Dancers need to have a good sense of rhythm.
- Even as a child, she had a strong sense of rhythm.
- He doesn’t have much sense of rhythm, but he enjoys singing.
in rhythm
1/ˈɪn ɹˈɪðəm/
fixed phrase
moving or sounding regularly
Moving or making sound in a regular, repeated way, often matching a beat or pattern.
Examples
- The dancers moved perfectly in rhythm with the music.
- Breathe in rhythm with your steps when you run.
- Their hands clapped in rhythm, filling the hall with sound.
keep the rhythm
1/kˈip ðə ɹˈɪðəm/
fixed phrase
maintain a steady beat or pattern
To continue a beat or pattern without losing it, especially in music or dance.
Examples
- The drummer struggled to keep the rhythm during the fast section.
- Clap your hands to help the children keep the rhythm.
- She counted out loud so the class could keep the rhythm.
out of rhythm
1/ˈaʊt əv ɹˈɪðəm/
fixed phrase
not matching the expected rhythm
Not moving or making sound in the correct regular pattern, or not matching the beat or usual pattern.
Examples
- He fell out of rhythm and had to stop playing.
- Our team was out of rhythm in the first half of the game.
- After the long break, I felt out of rhythm at work.
pick up the rhythm
1/pˈɪk ˈʌp ðə ɹˈɪðəm/
idiom
begin to follow the rhythm
To start following a beat or pattern correctly, often after listening or trying for a short time.
Examples
- At first I was lost, but I soon picked up the rhythm of the song.
- New workers usually pick up the rhythm of the factory after a week.
- Once you pick up the rhythm, this exercise becomes easier.
set the rhythm
1/sˈɛt ðə ɹˈɪðəm/
fixed phrase
establish beat or pace
To decide or start the beat or speed that other people or things follow.
Examples
- In many bands, the drummer sets the rhythm.
- The teacher set the rhythm, and the students followed with their clapping.
- The lead runner set the rhythm for the rest of the group.