rhythmic
gb/ɹˈɪðmɪk/ us/ɹˈɪðmɪk/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
having a regular beat or pattern
Having a regular beat.
Usage pattern:
[music/speech/movement] is rhythmic
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse rhythmic with rhythm (noun) or use an uncommon spelling (rhythmical).
Synonyms
rhythmical (Same meaning, but less common and slightly more formal.)
|
cadenced (Often used for speech or writing; more literary.)
Antonyms
irregular (Not following a steady beat or pattern.)
|
arrhythmic (Lacking rhythm; often used in medical or technical contexts.)
Collocations
rhythmic music
|rhythmic beat
|rhythmic pattern
|rhythmic dance
|rhythmic chanting
|rhythmic drumming
|rhythmic pulse
|rhythmic movement
|rhythmic swing
|rhythmic phrases
Themes
music
|dance
|language
|arts
Examples
- The song has a simple, rhythmic beat that’s easy to dance to.
- Her speech was slow and rhythmic, almost like a chant.
- The dancers’ footsteps became more rhythmic as the music built.
Learner examples
- The music is rhythmic.
- We clapped in a rhythmic way.
adjective
B2
property
2
repeating steadily at regular intervals
Repeating again and again in a steady way.
Usage pattern:
rhythmic [sound/movement/change]
Common mistake:
Rhythmic suggests a steady, regular repetition; for random repetition, sporadic is more natural.
Synonyms
regular (General word; does not emphasize a beat-like quality.)
|
periodic (More technical; emphasizes fixed intervals.)
Antonyms
sporadic (Happening at irregular times.)
|
erratic (Changing unpredictably rather than steadily.)
Collocations
rhythmic knocking
|rhythmic tapping
|rhythmic breathing
|rhythmic flashing
|rhythmic waves
|rhythmic motion
|rhythmic contractions
|rhythmic vibrations
|rhythmic pulsing
|rhythmic sound
Themes
daily_life
|health
|science
Examples
- There was rhythmic knocking coming from the apartment above.
- The machine made a rhythmic clicking noise as it warmed up.
- The lighthouse sent out a rhythmic flash across the bay.
Learner examples
- I heard a rhythmic sound.
- Try rhythmic breathing.
adjective
C1
property
3
related to rhythm as a feature
Connected to rhythm.
Usage pattern:
rhythmic [structure/variation/analysis]
Common mistake:
In this sense, rhythmic means ‘about rhythm’ rather than ‘having a steady beat’ (though they often overlap).
Synonyms
metrical (Mainly for poetry; focuses on the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables.)
|
prosodic (More technical; relates to the rhythm and intonation of speech.)
Antonyms
nonrhythmic (Not related to rhythm or not organized by rhythm.)
Collocations
rhythmic structure
|rhythmic variation
|rhythmic complexity
|rhythmic analysis
|rhythmic stress
|rhythmic emphasis
|rhythmic notation
|rhythmic device
|rhythmic grouping
|rhythmic phrasing
Themes
music
|education
|language
Examples
- The teacher explained the rhythmic structure of the poem.
- The composer is known for bold rhythmic variations.
- In English, rhythmic stress can change the feel of a sentence.
Learner examples
- We studied rhythmic patterns in music class.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rhythmic
IPA
GB/ɹˈɪðmɪk/
US/ɹˈɪðmɪk/
Syllables & stress
rhythmic (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (rhythmic)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: rhythmic
Expressions
rhythmic beat
1/ɹˈɪðmɪk bˈit/
fixed phrase
steady beat you can follow
A steady beat in music.
Examples
- The track has a rhythmic beat that keeps the energy up.
- They marched to the rhythmic beat of the drum.
- A rhythmic beat can make a song easier to dance to.
rhythmic breathing
1/ɹˈɪðmɪk bɹˈiðɪŋ/
fixed phrase
steady breathing in a regular pattern
Breathing in a steady way.
Examples
- Rhythmic breathing can help you stay calm during a stressful moment.
- The coach taught rhythmic breathing to improve running endurance.
- She used rhythmic breathing to settle her nerves before speaking.
rhythmic gymnastics
1/ɹˈɪðmɪk d͡ʒɪmnˈæstɪks/
fixed phrase
technical
dance-based gymnastics with apparatus
gymnastics with music and a ribbon or hoop
Examples
- Her rhythmic gymnastics routine featured a ribbon and hoop.
- Rhythmic gymnastics demands extreme flexibility and control.
- They joined a club that specializes in rhythmic gymnastics.
rhythmic gymnastics
1/ɹˈɪðmɪk d͡ʒɪmnˈæstɪks/
fixed phrase
gymnastics with dance and apparatus
A sport with dance and ribbons or hoops.
Examples
- She started rhythmic gymnastics when she was six.
- Rhythmic gymnastics routines are performed to music.
- The club offers rhythmic gymnastics classes on Saturdays.
rhythmic movement
1/ɹˈɪðmɪk mˈuvmənt/
fixed phrase
movement with a steady rhythm
Movement that repeats in a steady way.
Examples
- The baby fell asleep to the rhythmic movements of the train.
- The warm-up includes gentle rhythmic movements of the arms and shoulders.
- Rhythmic movement is a key part of many dance styles.
rhythmic pattern
1/ɹˈɪðmɪk pˈætɚn/
fixed phrase
repeating arrangement of beats
A repeating beat pattern.
Examples
- The drummer played a new rhythmic pattern for the chorus.
- Children learn language partly by copying rhythmic patterns.
- Try clapping the rhythmic pattern before you play it on the piano.