rock
gb/ɹˈɑk/ us/ɹˈɑk/
A2
English
~ 1200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Hard natural mineral material
A hard, solid material from the ground, made of minerals.
Usage pattern:
a [size/shape] rock
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'rock' with 'stone'. In everyday English, 'stone' often means a smaller piece, while 'rock' can be larger or general.
Synonyms
stone (Often refers to a smaller piece of rock, especially one that can be picked up.)
Antonyms
soil (Soil is loose and soft earth material, unlike hard rock.)
Collocations
big rock
|cliff rock
|rock formation
|rock surface
|throw a rock
Themes
nature
|geology
|environment
|science
Examples
- The hikers stopped to rest on a large rock.
- This type of rock contains a lot of quartz.
- She threw a rock into the lake.
- The cave was hidden behind a wall of rock.
Learner examples
- I see a big rock.
- The rock is very hard.
- He sits on the rock.
- A rock is on the ground.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Popular music with strong rhythm
A kind of loud music with a strong beat, usually with electric guitars and drums.
Synonyms
rock and roll (An earlier form or closely related style of rock music, often used historically.)
Antonyms
classical music (A genre of music that is formal, orchestral, and not characterized by strong electric rhythm.)
Collocations
rock band
|rock concert
|rock song
|rock star
|classic rock
Themes
music
|culture
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He plays guitar in a rock band.
- They went to see their favorite rock singer perform live.
- Classic rock from the 1970s is still popular today.
Learner examples
- I like rock music.
- My brother plays in a rock band.
- We listen to rock at home.
Verb
B1
action
3
Move gently back and forth
To move slowly from side to side or back and forth.
Usage pattern:
to rock [something/someone]
Synonyms
sway (Often used for slower or smoother movement; 'rock' may be slightly stronger or more rhythmic.)
Antonyms
steady (To make something stop moving; the opposite of rocking.)
Collocations
rock the baby
|rock gently
|rock back and forth
Themes
movement
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She rocked the baby until he fell asleep.
- The boat rocked in the waves.
- He rocked back and forth in his chair.
Learner examples
- I rock the baby.
- The chair rocks slowly.
- The boat rocks in the water.
Verb
informal
B2
action
4
Do something very well
To do something very well or be great at it.
Usage pattern:
to rock [something]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse this with the literal movement sense of 'rock'. In informal contexts, it means to do well, not to move.
Synonyms
excel ('Excel' is more formal; 'rock' is informal and enthusiastic.)
Antonyms
fail (To do something badly; opposite of performing well.)
Collocations
rock the stage
|rock your exam
|you rock
Themes
slang
|success
|education
|work
Examples
- You really rocked that presentation!
- She rocks at playing the guitar.
- They totally rocked the competition.
Learner examples
- You rock at singing.
- He rocks in sports.
- She rocks her new job.
Noun
informal
B2
entity
5
Large diamond or gemstone
A big diamond or jewel.
Synonyms
diamond ('Diamond' is specific to the gemstone; 'rock' is slang for any large gem, often diamond.)
Antonyms
pebble (A small stone; opposite in size and value to a large gemstone in this context.)
Collocations
huge rock
|sparkling rock
Themes
jewelry
|slang
|core_vocabulary
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- She showed off the huge rock on her finger.
- That engagement ring has quite a rock!
Learner examples
- She has a big rock on her ring.
- The rock shines in the light.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rock
IPA
GB/ɹˈɑk/
US/ɹˈɑk/
Syllables & stress
rock (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (rock)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: rock
- Plural: rock, rocks
Verb
- Base: rock
- 3rd Person Singular: rocks
- Present Participle: rocking
- Past: rocked
Word family
Expressions
on the rocks
1/ˈɔn ðə ɹˈɑks/
idiom
In serious difficulty or near failure (or drink with ice)
In trouble or likely to fail (or for drinks, served over ice). Context shows which meaning is intended.
Examples
- Their marriage is on the rocks after years of arguments.
- I'd like my whiskey on the rocks, please.
rock bottom
1/ɹˈɑk bˈɑtəm/
fixed phrase
Lowest possible point or level
The lowest point or worst time in someone's life or situation.
Examples
- After losing his job, he hit rock bottom emotionally.
- Prices have reached rock bottom this year.
solid as a rock
1/sˈɑlɪd ˈæz ə ɹˈɑk/
idiom
Very strong or dependable
Very strong, safe, or reliable.
Examples
- Their friendship is solid as a rock.
- This table is solid as a rock—it won't break easily.
between a rock and a hard place
1/bɪtwˈin ə ɹˈɑk ˈænd ə hˈɑɹd plˈeɪs/
idiom
faced with two bad choices
To be in a situation where you must choose between two bad things.
Examples
- I'm between a rock and a hard place—either I quit my job or move away from my family.
- I'm between a rock and a hard place—either option will upset someone.
- She felt stuck between a rock and a hard place when deciding on the budget cuts.
- She felt stuck between a rock and a hard place when both jobs had major downsides.
rock the boat
1/ɹˈɑk ðə bˈoʊt/
idiom
informal
Upset an existing situation
To cause problems by changing something that works well now.
Examples
- Everything is going smoothly, so don’t rock the boat.
- He tends to rock the boat whenever he joins a new team.
rock the boat
2/ɹˈɑk ðə bˈoʊt/
idiom
Disturb a stable situation
To say or do something that changes a good situation and may cause problems.
Examples
- I don't want to rock the boat by asking for more money now.
- Everything is going well—let's not rock the boat.