# reggae

/ˈɹɛˌɡeɪ/ (US) · /ɹɪɡˈiː/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reggae
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a style of popular music that started in Jamaica in the 1960s. It has a strong, steady rhythm and often features lyrics about social or political issues.

For teachers: a genre of popular music originating in Jamaica during the late 1960s, characterized by a heavy four-beat rhythm with accents on the off-beat. Often associated with Rastafarianism and social commentary.

## Examples

- I love listening to reggae when I am at the beach.
- The festival featured several reggae bands that kept the crowd dancing with their deep bass lines and rhythmic guitar chords.
- While it evolved from earlier styles like ska and rocksteady, reggae achieved global prominence through its distinctive syncopated beat and the international success of artists like Bob Marley.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the genre; can be countable when referring to specific types or sub-genres of the music.

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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.