rehearsal
rih-HER-suhl
/rɪˈhɜː.səl/
A practice session in preparation for a public performance.
Implies structured, formal preparation for an upcoming show rather than casual warm-up playing.
The story behind the word. Rehearsal traces back to Anglo-French 'rehercer', literally meaning 'to rake over again.' Just as a farmer rakes soil repeatedly to prepare a field, performers go over their material repeatedly to make it smooth and ready.
Word relationships
- practice: Practice can refer to solo skill maintenance, whereas rehearsal usually involves an entire production group.
- run-through: A run-through is an uninterrupted simulation within a rehearsal session.
- performance: Performance is the final presentation given to an audience.
Commonly confused with
- audition: Rehearsal is practice for an established role; an audition is a trial performance to win a role.
Word family
- rehearse (verb): To practice for a performance.
- rehearsed (adjective): Practiced or prepared in advance.
Collocations
- dress rehearsal
- rehearsal room
- rehearsal schedule
- band rehearsal
Idioms & expressions
- dress rehearsal
Example sentences
- "During the final dress rehearsal, the conductor made minor adjustments to the tempo." Classical Orchestra Prep
Memory hook
RE-HEAR-sal: hearing the song again and again until it is flawless. Rake over the material again.
When not to use
Do not use for an actual live concert in front of an audience.
Fun facts
- A 'dress rehearsal' means performing in full costume and lighting as if an audience were present.
Explore more words
rehearse, audience, understudy, concerted, improvisation, polished
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