ENGLISH
REFERENCE

rehearse

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ɹiˈhɝs// UK //ɹɪhˈɜːs// re·hearse

v. to practice a play, a song, or a speech before you perform it in front of an audience. You do this to make sure everything goes smoothly.

v. to practice a performance or a speech in preparation for a public presentation. Transitive when referring to the act of practicing a specific piece; intransitive when referring to the general act of practicing.


SIMPLE

The actors rehearse their lines every afternoon.

CONTEXTUAL

The choir spent three weeks rehearsing the difficult piece to ensure they were ready for the concert.

COMPLEX

While the lead actor had already rehearsed the monologue dozens of times, the supporting cast still struggled with the timing of their exits during the final dress rehearsal.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English rehersen, from Anglo-Norman reherser (“to repeat word-for-word”).

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