English Reference

Word

blues

US/ˈbɫuz/

UK/blˈuːz/

Definitions

01music genre

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun Music

n. a style of music created by African Americans that often has a slow, sad sound.

n. a musical genre of African-American origin, typically characterised by a twelve-bar structure and the use of flattened or 'blue' notes.

“He spent the evening listening to old blues records in his room.”

“The influence of the blues is evident in almost every major genre of modern popular music, from rock and roll to hip-hop.”

Synonyms

jazz

02feeling sad

B1 · Intermediate Plural noun Informal

n. a feeling of sadness or being a little depressed.

n. a state of mild depression or melancholy; usually takes a plural form with the definite article.

“She always gets the Sunday night blues before the work week starts.”

“Many people suffer from the winter blues when the days become shorter and the lack of sunlight affects their mood.”

Pitfall

I have a blue today.

I have the blues today.

When referring to sadness, 'blues' is always plural and almost always used with 'the'.

Synonyms

sadnessmelancholydepression

Antonyms

happinessjoy

03uniforms

B2 · Upper Intermediate Plural noun Formal

n. a blue uniform, especially one worn by the police or the military.

n. a dress uniform of a blue colour, specifically those worn by members of the police force or certain branches of the military.

“The officers were dressed in their formal blues for the parade.”

“The honour guard appeared in their dress blues, standing in sharp contrast to the civilian attendees at the memorial service.”

Synonyms

uniformlivery

Idioms

01. cry the blues

02. have the blues

Domain

Music

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Common
Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

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