# disco

/ˈdɪskoʊ/ (US) · /dˈɪskəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/disco
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. music genre

noun · CEFR A2

a style of dance music with a strong beat that was very popular in the 1970s.

For teachers: a genre of dance music popularised in the 1970s, characterised by soul influences, syncopated basslines, and a steady rhythmic beat.

- The DJ played classic disco hits all night long.
- The resurgence of disco influences in modern pop music suggests a lasting appreciation for the genre's rhythmic complexity and production style.

### 2. a nightclub

noun · CEFR A2

a club or place where people go to dance to recorded music.

For teachers: a nightclub or venue specifically designed for dancing to recorded music; a clipping of 'discotheque'.

- We spent the whole Saturday night at the local disco.
- The old cinema was converted into a multi-storey disco, complete with neon lighting and a high-fidelity sound system.

### 3. a dance party

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

a social event or party where the main activity is dancing.

For teachers: a social gathering or event where dancing to recorded music is the primary activity.

- The school is holding a disco to raise money for charity.
- The village hall was decorated with tinsel and balloons for the annual Christmas disco, which attracted residents of all ages.

### 4. legal discovery

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Informal · Technical

the process of sharing evidence between lawyers before a trial starts.

For teachers: the pre-trial phase in which evidence is gathered and materials are revealed to the opposing party.

- The lawyer spent the afternoon reviewing the disco files for the case.
- The defence team requested an extension to process the massive volume of disco provided by the prosecution during the initial phase of the litigation.

Usage: Often used as a shorthand in legal offices or police procedurals.

### 5. to dance

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to dance in the style of disco music.

For teachers: to perform dance moves associated with disco music or to frequent discotheques.

- They were discoing in the living room until the neighbours complained.
- The group spent their youth discoing across Europe, visiting the most famous clubs in every major capital.

## Examples

- We spent the whole night dancing at the disco.
- The local community center hosts a disco every Friday night for teenagers in the neighborhood.
- While disco faced a cultural backlash in the late seventies, its rhythmic innovations laid the essential groundwork for the emergence of modern electronic dance music and house culture.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.