English Reference
noun

rehearsal

n.
US /ɹiˈhɝsəɫ/ UK /ɹɪhˈɜːsəl/ re·hearsal UK spelling rehearsal's, rehearsal's

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate Theatre

    a time when actors, musicians, or dancers practice a show before the real performance.

    a session in which a play, concert, or other performance is practised in its entirety to ensure coordination and technical readiness.

    Simple

    The band had a final rehearsal the night before their big concert.

    In context

    The director called for an additional dress rehearsal to ensure that the complex lighting cues were perfectly synchronised with the actors' movements.

    Usage

    Often used with the verbs 'have', 'hold', or 'attend'.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    practicing a speech or a difficult conversation before it actually happens.

    a preparatory exercise or mental practice intended to simulate a future event or social interaction.

    Simple

    She did a quick rehearsal of her presentation in front of the mirror.

    In context

    Mental rehearsal is a common technique used by athletes to visualise successful performance before the actual competition begins.


From Middle English rehercel, rehersail, rehersall, from rehersen and apparently partly Middle French rehercel. By surface analysis, rehearse + -al.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin frm rehercel
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated