rock
rock — noun
1. The hard natural substance found in the ground that forms mountains, cliffs, and
The hard natural substance found in the ground that forms mountains, cliffs, and the land surface; also a single prominent piece of this material standing out from the ground or sea.
Tamar studied the layers of rock visible in the side of the canyon wall.
collocation: layers of rock
Deep beneath the ocean, new rock forms when hot liquid from inside the earth cools.
Jisoo took a photograph of the tall rock formation that resembled a giant face.
collocation: rock formation
The path through the forest was covered with loose pieces of rock after the landslide.
- solid rock
- bedrock
- layers of rock
- volcanic rock
- rock face
Grammar Patterns
rock (uncountable) + verb
a/the rock (countable) + verb
Usage Note
Uncountable when referring to the material itself (e.g., 'built of rock'); countable when referring to a single large mass ('a huge rock blocking the road').
Common Mistakes
2. A small, loose piece of the hard material found in the ground, small enough to h
A small, loose piece of the hard material found in the ground, small enough to hold in one hand.
Nala found a smooth white rock on the beach and put it in her pocket.
Dario threw a small rock into the pond and watched the circles spread across the surface.
Paloma used a flat rock as a hammer to crack open the nuts from the tree.
physical action context: throwing, using, picking up a rock
The children collected colourful rocks from the riverbed and arranged them by size.
- throw a rock
- pick up a rock
- smooth rock
- sharp rock
Grammar Patterns
a/the rock + verb
Usage Note
In everyday speech, 'rock' can refer to any size of stone, but for very small pieces (pea-sized or smaller), 'pebble' or 'stone' is more common. For very large pieces, 'boulder' is preferred.
Common Mistakes
3. A line or group of large stones that emerges above the water, sometimes staying
A line or group of large stones that emerges above the water, sometimes staying hidden just beneath the surface and posing a danger to ships.
Mark steered the boat carefully to avoid the rocks that were just below the surface of the water.
nautical context: danger to ships
The old ship hit the rocks during the fierce storm and began to break apart.
Allison watched the waves crash against the jagged rocks near the lighthouse.
Local fishermen know the location of every dangerous rock along this stretch of coastline.
- hit the rocks
- jagged rocks
- hidden rocks
- rocks below the surface
Grammar Patterns
the rocks + verb (plural)
Usage Note
Almost always used in the plural ('rocks') when referring to the sea. The singular 'rock' in a coastal context usually refers to a single large formation, not the group.
4. A valuable stone set into rings or other jewellery items, most often a diamond.
A valuable stone set into rings or other jewellery items, most often a diamond.
Hamza saved up for months to buy her a rock for their engagement ring.
slang: rock = diamond
The thief got away with a bag full of rocks worth over a million dollars.
Mira showed off the enormous rock on her finger to everyone at the dinner table.
At the auction, collectors admired the famous blue rock from the royal jewellery collection.
- huge rock
- big rock
- a rock on her finger
Grammar Patterns
a/the rock + verb
Usage Note
Informal slang. Appropriate in casual conversation but not in formal writing or jewellery catalogues. Typically refers to a diamond, but can be any precious gem.
Common Mistakes
5. A category of loud, guitar-driven music with a forceful beat, usually featuring
A category of loud, guitar-driven music with a forceful beat, usually featuring electric guitars, drums, and strong singing.
The band played loud rock music that made the whole crowd jump and sing along.
collocation: rock music / rock band
Christopher learned to play rock songs on his electric guitar after just six months.
Rock concerts often have flashing lights and huge speakers on the stage.
The teenager went to her first rock festival last summer and camped in a field with friends.
- rock music
- rock band
- rock concert
- rock song
- rock festival
- play rock
- listen to rock
- classical music
a traditional Western music style with orchestral instruments, very different in sound and structure from rock
Grammar Patterns
rock music
rock band
play rock
Usage Note
Often shortened to just 'rock' without 'music', e.g., 'I like rock' or 'She plays rock'. Many sub-genres exist (punk rock, hard rock, indie rock) with different sounds and styles.
Common Mistakes
6. A stick-shaped candy with a firm, solid texture, often containing coloured lette
A stick-shaped candy with a firm, solid texture, often containing coloured lettering running through its centre and commonly sold at coastal holiday destinations.
Meera bought a stick of pink rock for her little brother at the seaside shop.
British seaside context: stick of rock
The lettering on the rock said ‘Brighton’ all the way through the middle of the sweet.
Grandma always brought back sticks of rock whenever she visited the beach town.
The children lined up at the sweet shop to buy colourful rock with different flavours inside.
- stick of rock
- seaside rock
- rock shop
Grammar Patterns
a stick of rock
rock (as a type)
Usage Note
Primarily British. In other English varieties, this type of sweet is less common or called 'rock candy' or simply 'candy stick'. The letters printed through the middle are a distinctive feature of traditional British seaside rock.
7. A person who can always be trusted to provide emotional support and remain stead
A person who can always be trusted to provide emotional support and remain steady during difficult times.
When her father passed away, her older sister was the rock that held the family together.
idiomatic: be a rock / someone’s rock
Greta knew she could call him at any hour because he was her rock through every crisis.
The coach was a rock for the young team after they lost the championship game.
During the long illness, the nurse became a rock of support for the worried family.
- be a rock
- someone’s rock
- rock of the family
- rock of support
- rock of strength
- support
a more general term for someone who provides help, less emotional in tone
- pillar
a person who holds up a group or institution through their strength and reliability
- foundation
the person or principle that something is built upon, suggesting a basis for everything else
- burden
a person who causes worry or difficulty rather than providing support
Grammar Patterns
someone’s rock
be a rock for someone
Usage Note
Always used figuratively. Usually takes a possessive ('my rock', 'her rock', 'the rock of the family'). Typically describes one person in a support role; rarely used in the plural.
Common Mistakes
Being forced to choose between two bad options.
Maya was caught between a rock and a hard place when both job offers required relocation.
If you have to fire your friend or lose your job, you're between a rock and a hard place.
get your rocks off
idiomTo achieve sexual pleasure or orgasm.
Diego gets his rocks off by listening to loud music alone.
She said she got her rocks off during their romantic weekend.
on the rocks
idiomDescribes a relationship or business that is in serious trouble and may end soon.
After years of fighting, their marriage is on the rocks.
The company's finances are on the rocks after the scandal.
Very stable, dependable, and not easily shaken.
Despite the crisis, our captain remained steady as a rock.
Her support for the project has been steady as a rock from day one.
rock — verb
1. To shift gently and repeatedly between two positions, or to make an object or a
To shift gently and repeatedly between two positions, or to make an object or a person do the same in a soft, regular rhythm.
The mother gently rocked the baby in her arms until he fell asleep.
transitive: rock a baby / rock a cradle
The old wooden chair rocked back and forth as the man sat reading his newspaper.
Roya sat on the porch and rocked slowly while watching the sun go down.
The gentle wind rocked the small boat from side to side on the calm lake.
intransitive with adverb: rock back and forth / side to side
- rock gently
- rock back and forth
- rock a baby
- rock a cradle
- rock a chair
- rock from side to side
- still
not moving; the opposite of rocking motion
Grammar Patterns
rock + object (+ adverb)
rock (no object) + adverb
Usage Note
Intransitive uses often include a manner adverb ('rock gently', 'rock slowly') or a direction phrase ('rock back and forth', 'rock from side to side'). Transitive uses typically involve a caregiver with a baby or someone sitting in a rocking chair.
Common Mistakes
2. To shake violently and suddenly from the force of an explosion, earthquake, or p
To shake violently and suddenly from the force of an explosion, earthquake, or powerful impact.
The whole building was rocked by the blast from the gas explosion down the street.
passive: be rocked by [force/explosion]
A powerful earthquake rocked the coastal city, sending people running into the streets.
The train rocked violently as it passed over the damaged section of the railway track.
Thunder rocked the old farmhouse as the storm moved directly overhead.
- rocked by an explosion
- rocked by an earthquake
- rock violently
- rock the building
- shake
a more general term for quick, repeated movements; less specific about the type of force
- shake violently
emphasises the force and suddenness
- convulse
to shake uncontrollably, usually used for a person or the ground
- stabilise
to make something steady and stop it from shaking
Grammar Patterns
be rocked by + noun
rock + object
Usage Note
Stronger and more violent than sense 1 (MOVE GENTLY). The subject is usually a force or event (explosion, earthquake, impact), not a person. Frequently used in the passive voice ('was rocked by...').
Common Mistakes
3. To shock or upset a person, group, or community very deeply, causing strong emot
To shock or upset a person, group, or community very deeply, causing strong emotional reactions.
The news of the factory closing rocked the small town where everyone worked together.
figurative: rock a community / society
The whole nation was rocked by the sudden death of the beloved prime minister.
Scandal rocked the university after it was revealed that grades had been changed secretly.
The financial crisis rocked the global banking system and destroyed many people’s savings.
- rocked by the news
- rocked by scandal
- rock the nation
- rock the community
- rock the establishment
- reassure
to comfort someone, removing shock or distress
Grammar Patterns
be rocked by + noun
rock + collective noun (society, community, nation)
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 2 (SHAKE VIOLENTLY): this sense is purely figurative and describes emotional or social disruption, not physical shaking. The subject is typically an event or revelation (scandal, tragedy, crisis).
Common Mistakes
4. To put on and confidently show off an outfit, hairstyle, or accessory in a way t
To put on and confidently show off an outfit, hairstyle, or accessory in a way that draws admiration.
The lead singer rocked a bright red leather jacket at the award ceremony last night.
informal: rock + clothing item
Even at sixty years old, the actor can still rock a pair of ripped jeans with style.
Sari decided to rock a short haircut for the summer and everybody loved the new look.
The model rocked a simple white dress on the runway and stole the whole show.
- rock a look
- rock a dress
- rock a hairstyle
- rock jeans
- rock a jacket
Grammar Patterns
rock + clothing/accessory
Usage Note
Informal slang from American English, originally from music and fashion culture. Used when the speaker wants to express admiration for someone’s confident style. Less common in British English.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/5
All four words describe genres of popular music, but they differ in sound, instrumentation, and cultural associations. Rock is the broadest term, covering music with electric guitars, drums, and a strong backbeat — from classic bands like The Beatles to modern acts like Arctic Monkeys. Pop is shorter, more formulaic, and focuses on catchy hooks and mass appeal (e.g., Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa). Metal is heavier and louder than rock, with distorted guitars, fast tempos, and aggressive vocals (e.g., Metallica, Iron Maiden). Indie refers to music produced outside major record labels, often with a lo-fi or experimental sound (e.g., Arctic Monkeys before they went mainstream). In casual conversation, 'rock' can be used broadly for any guitar-driven music, but critics distinguish these genres carefully. Example: 'If you like loud guitars and shouting vocals, metal might be more your speed than classic rock.'
Common collocations
Adverbs
Phrases
- on the rocks
- rock and roll
- rock the boat
- between a rock and a hard place
- rock bottom
Etymology
From Old English ‘rocc’ (meaning a large stone formation), related to Old French ‘roque’ and medieval Latin ‘rocca’ (rock). The verb sense of moving gently developed in the 14th century, possibly from a different Germanic root related to ‘rucken’ (to pull). The music sense emerged in the 1950s, shortened from ‘rock and roll’, which originally described the dancing motion suggested by the verb. The slang meaning ‘diamond’ dates from the early 20th century, and the fashion sense ‘wear stylishly’ came into use in the 1990s from hip-hop and rock culture.