emo
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emo¹
- /ˈiː.moʊ/ US
Rhymes with -iːməʊ
Where it comes from
Clipping of emotional. Compound emocore first attested in 1986. Word emo first attested in 1988. Generally used as an umbrella term.
noun emos
- 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).
-
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.
Similar: Midwest emo
-
A commercially successful 2000s alternative rock and pop-punk movement characterized by theatricality, melancholic, or romantically frustrated themes, and highly polished production.
Similar: emo pop
- Electronic-infused subgenres incorporating aggressive, satirical, or hedonistic themes layered over post-hardcore or pop-punk foundations (e.g., crunkcore, neon pop-punk).
- A person associated with a fashion or stereotype of that style of rock.
- A participant in the heavily aestheticized 2000s and 2010s subculture.
- (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.
- Sometimes used pejoratively to imply inauthenticity (poser) or used ironically to denote exaggerated teenage rebellion.
adjective more emo · most emo
- Associated with youth subcultures which are associated with the above-mentioned musical genre(s) and with emotional sensitivity. The one thing everyone agrees on is that they've never encountered a band that claimed to be emo.
- Emotional, sensitive, or contemplative; regardless of musical preference or subcultural affiliation.
- Depressed. Criticism drapes a black velvet cape across the puddle that interrupts the path to change, to be emo about it.
- 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. Hot Topic is historically recognized as the go-to mall emo store, particularly during the 2000s, serving as a primary hub for alternative, scene, and punk fashion, music merch, and accessories like studded belts.
Emo²
proper noun
- A village in Ireland.
Emo³
proper noun
- A township in Ontario.
Thesaurus
Closest in meaning: smo, epa, ape, apes, eeo, epas, hardcore punk, jazzcore, beatdown, electroclash, deathpunk, bent edge, slam, extreme metal, deathcore, banger
Translations
Every language
adj music
| 한국어 | 이모 imo |
|---|---|
| 日本語 | エモ emo |
| 中文 | 情感核 qínggǎnhé, 情緒搖滾 /情绪摇滚 qíngxù yáogǔn |
| Русский | э́мо émo, и́мо ímo, э́мо-му́зыка émo-múzyka, и́мо-му́зыка ímo-múzyka |
| العربية | إِيمُو ʔīmū |
Talk about this word "emo." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/emo. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. emo. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/emo "emo." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/emo.Cite this
@misc{emo_2026,
title = {emo},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/emo},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
