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emo

Pronunciation: /ˈiː.moʊ/

The English word “emo” has 12 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. A subgenre of late 1980s hardcore punk originating in Washington D.C., characterized by intense, highly emotional performances, dynamic shifts, and a departure from traditional punk song structures (also emocore).
  2. A 1990s indie rock movement characterized by complex guitar work (often borrowing from math rock), dynamic shifts, arpeggiated melodies, and deeply introspective lyrics; commonly referred to as Midwest emo.
  3. A commercially successful 2000s alternative rock and pop-punk movement characterized by theatricality, melancholic, or romantically frustrated themes, and highly polished production.
  4. Electronic-infused subgenres incorporating aggressive, satirical, or hedonistic themes layered over post-hardcore or pop-punk foundations (e.g., crunkcore, neon pop-punk).
  5. A person associated with a fashion or stereotype of that style of rock.
  6. A participant in the heavily aestheticized 2000s and 2010s subculture.
  7. (by extension) A typically young individual whose outward persona is characterized by introspection, sensitivity, melancholy, or angst; considered to be overly emotional or who is associated with the emo subculture.
  8. Sometimes used pejoratively to imply inauthenticity (poser) or used ironically to denote exaggerated teenage rebellion.

adjective

  1. Associated with youth subcultures which are associated with the above-mentioned musical genre(s) and with emotional sensitivity.
  2. Emotional, sensitive, or contemplative; regardless of musical preference or subcultural affiliation.
  3. Depressed.
  4. Exhibiting a fashion or visual aesthetic associated with the subculture; a presentation deliberately or unintentionally incorporating dark clothing, asymmetrical haircuts covering one eye, studded accessories, and often borrowing elements from gothic fashion, Burtonesque macabre, or brightly colored scene or geek aesthetics.

Etymology

Clipping of emotional. Compound emocore first attested in 1986. Word emo first attested in 1988. Generally used as an umbrella term.

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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.