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groove

n. · v.
US //ˈɡɹuv// UK //ɡɹˈuːv// groove
  1. 1 a physical cut (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a long, narrow cut or line in a hard surface like wood or metal.

    a long, narrow channel or depression cut into a hard material, often to guide a moving part.

    Example

    The sliding door moves along a small groove in the floor.

    Example

    The carpenter carefully carved a groove into the side of the cabinet to allow the back panel to slide into place securely.
  2. 2 a routine (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    a habit or a way of doing things that you have become used to.

    a settled or fixed routine of life or action.

    Example

    After a few days back at work, I finally got back into my groove.

    Example

    It took the team several weeks to find their groove, but once they established a workflow, productivity increased significantly.
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  1. 3 musical rhythm (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Music

    a strong, enjoyable rhythm in music that makes you want to dance.

    a pronounced, infectious rhythm in music, particularly in jazz, funk, or soul.

    Example

    The drummer started a funky groove that the whole band followed.

    Example

    The bassist and drummer locked into a tight groove, providing a solid foundation for the soloist to explore more complex melodies.
  2. 4 to enjoy music (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Music

    to dance to or enjoy music with a good rhythm.

    to dance to or enjoy rhythmic music in a relaxed and focused manner.

    Example

    Everyone was grooving to the music at the party last night.

    Example

    The audience spent the entire evening grooving to the classic soul records, creating an atmosphere of shared nostalgia and joy.
Origin

From Middle English grov, grove, groof, grofe (“cave; pit; mining shaft”), probably from Old Norse gróf (“pit”) or from Middle Dutch groeve (“furrow, ditch”), both from Proto-West Germanic grōbu, from Proto-Germanic grōbō (“groove, furrow”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰrebʰ- (“to dig, scrape, bury”). Cognate with Cimbrian gruuba (“gorge, ravine”), Dutch groef, groeve (“groove; pit, grave”), German Grube (“ditch, pit”), Luxembourgish Grouf (“pit, mine”), Mòcheno gruab (“mine”), Icelandic gróf (“pit, hollow”), Gothic 𐌲𐍂𐍉𐌱𐌰 (grōba, “foxhole”), Serbo-Croatian grèbati (“scratch, dig”). Related to Old English grafan (“to dig”). More at grave.

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