Word
Definition
n. a type of fast, lively rock music from the 1950s that mixes country and blues, with strong guitar and a beat you can dance to.
n. a style of early rock-and-roll from the 1950s that combines country music with rhythm and blues, marked by fast tempo, twangy electric guitar and upright bass.
Examples
“They play rockabilly every Friday at the local bar.”
“The festival celebrates 1950s culture with vintage cars, dancing, and live rockabilly bands.”
“Although it faded from the charts by the 1960s, rockabilly kept its influence alive through revival movements that prized its raw energy and simple sound.”
Examples
simple
“They play rockabilly every Friday at the local bar.”
contextual
“The festival celebrates 1950s culture with vintage cars, dancing, and live rockabilly bands.”
complex
“Although it faded from the charts by the 1960s, rockabilly kept its influence alive through revival movements that prized its raw energy and simple sound.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “rockabilly” in context.
Verb
01. dance to rockabilly
“Couples danced to rockabilly late into the night at the festival.”
verb + prep + noun
02. listen to rockabilly
“She loves to listen to rockabilly while restoring her vintage Cadillac.”
verb + prep + noun
03. perform rockabilly
“They perform rockabilly with upright bass, drums and blazing guitar solos.”
verb + noun
04. pioneer rockabilly
“Elvis helped pioneer rockabilly by fusing blues with country rhythms.”
verb + noun
05. play rockabilly
“The trio still plays rockabilly at clubs across the city every weekend.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. authentic rockabilly
“The band is known for its authentic rockabilly sound and vintage outfits.”
adj + noun
07. classic rockabilly
“He plays classic rockabilly on a vintage Gretsch guitar.”
adj + noun
08. early rockabilly
“Sun Records released many early rockabilly hits by Elvis and Carl Perkins.”
adj + noun
09. pure rockabilly
“Their debut album is pure rockabilly, fast and full of twanging guitars.”
adj + noun
10. blend of country and rockabilly
“Their music is an energetic blend of country and rockabilly.”
11. pioneers of early rockabilly
“Elvis, Scotty Moore and Bill Black were pioneers of early rockabilly.”
12. play authentic 1950s rockabilly
“They play authentic 1950s rockabilly on original vintage instruments.”
Real-World Examples
“Rockabilly guitarist Tommy Allsup, who narrowly avoided boarding the plane that killed Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper, has died aged 85.” Etymology
Blend of rock + hillbilly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/rockabilly
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0