Word
rehearse
Phoneticsre·hearse, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹiˈhɝs/
UK/ɹɪhˈɜːs/
Definitions
01to practice for a performance
B2 · Upper Intermediate Theater
v. to practice a play, piece of music, or dance many times before the public performance.
v. to practice a work in preparation for public performance. Ambitransitive — can be used with or without a direct object.
“The band needs to rehearse their new songs before the concert on Saturday.”
“The cast spent six weeks rehearsing the play, focusing particularly on the complex transitions between the first and second acts.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02to repeat or list facts
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to repeat a set of facts, arguments, or a story that you have already said or prepared.
v. to enumerate or repeat a set of points, arguments, or events, often in a formal or systematic way.
“She sat in the waiting room, silently rehearsing her answers for the interview.”
“In his closing statement, the lawyer rehearsed the evidence once more to ensure the jury understood the timeline of events.”
03to prepare a story
C2 · Proficiency Literary
v. to carefully prepare a story or excuse so that it sounds consistent and believable.
v. to contrive or prepare a narrative or explanation in advance to ensure consistency or effect.
“They had a well-rehearsed story ready for when the police arrived.”
“The witness gave a suspiciously rehearsed account of the evening, never deviating from the specific details he had provided earlier.”
Real-World Examples
“She’s also launched an acting career, thrown a big fat celebrity wedding and, somewhere along the way, found time to rehearse her biggest, most vertiginous show to date.” “Lydon invited him to watch the Sex Pistols rehearse.” Etymology
From Middle English rehersen, from Anglo-Norman reherser (“to repeat word-for-word”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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