Word
metronome
UK/mˈɛtɹənˌəʊm/
Countable noun
In Japanese
metronome
Japanese from JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0. All sources.
Definition
n. a small device that makes a steady click to help you keep time when you play music. You set how fast or slow it clicks.
n. a mechanical or electronic device that produces regular audible pulses at an adjustable tempo to guide musical performance.
Examples
“She uses a metronome to keep steady time.”
“The piano student turns on the metronome before practising scales to stop rushing the fast passages.”
“The conductor insisted the orchestra rehearse the difficult passage against a metronome until the internal pulse felt natural, even at the slower tempo.”
Examples
simple
“She uses a metronome to keep steady time.”
contextual
“The piano student turns on the metronome before practising scales to stop rushing the fast passages.”
complex
“The conductor insisted the orchestra rehearse the difficult passage against a metronome until the internal pulse felt natural, even at the slower tempo.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “metronome” in context.
Verb
01. follow metronome
“It took weeks for the young pianist to follow the metronome accurately.”
verb + noun
02. metronome clicks
“The metronome clicked faster as he increased the tempo.”
noun + verb
03. metronome ticks
“The metronome ticked steadily while she played her scales.”
noun + verb
04. play to metronome
“The orchestra had to play to a metronome during the recording session.”
verb + prep + noun
05. practise with metronome
“You should practise with a metronome to improve your timing.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
06. digital metronome
“She uses a digital metronome app for her daily violin practice.”
adj + noun
07. human metronome
“Our drummer is like a human metronome; he never rushes the tempo.”
adj + noun
08. mechanical metronome
“A mechanical metronome with a swinging pendulum stood on the piano.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. beat of metronome
“She clapped along to the steady beat of the metronome.”
noun + prep + noun
10. like a human metronome
“She plays her scales like a human metronome, perfectly even.”
11. play along to the metronome
“Try to play along to the metronome without rushing ahead.”
12. practise with a metronome
“My teacher insists I practise with a metronome every day.”
Etymology
Coined in English from Ancient Greek μέτρον (métron, “measure”) + νόμος (nómos, “regulation, law”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 1
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/metronome