# rehearse

/ɹiˈhɝs/ (US) · /ɹɪhˈɜːs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rehearse
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to practice for a performance

verb · CEFR B2

to practice a play, piece of music, or dance many times before the public performance.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. to repeat or list facts

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to repeat a set of facts, arguments, or a story that you have already said or prepared.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. to prepare a story

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to carefully prepare a story or excuse so that it sounds consistent and believable.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The actors rehearse their lines every afternoon.
- The choir spent three weeks rehearsing the difficult piece to ensure they were ready for the concert.
- 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.

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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.