galop: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Historical
Quick answer
What does “galop” mean?
A lively dance in 2/4 time.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A lively dance in 2/4 time.
A piece of music composed for or in the rhythm of this dance; a fast, spirited movement or pace.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slightly more common in British historical and musical contexts.
Connotations
Evokes 19th-century ballrooms, Victorian era, historical musicology, and period dramas.
Frequency
Rare in contemporary usage outside of specific historical or musical discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “galop” in a Sentence
dance a galopcompose a galopplay a galopVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “galop” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The dancers galoped across the ballroom floor.
American English
- The couples galoped energetically to the lively tune.
adverb
British English
- They moved galop, in time with the music.
American English
- The piece ended galop, with a flourish.
adjective
British English
- The galop tempo was exhilarating.
American English
- He composed a galop rhythm for the finale.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Unused.
Academic
Used in musicology and historical studies of dance.
Everyday
Virtually unused in modern everyday conversation.
Technical
A specific term in music and dance history.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “galop”
- Misspelling as 'gallop' (horse's gait).
- Using it as a general synonym for 'run'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Gallop' refers to the fastest gait of a horse. 'Galop' (often with one 'l') is a specific historical dance and music form.
Primarily in historical re-enactments, period dance societies, or in specific folk traditions, not in mainstream ballroom dancing.
Yes, though rare. It means to dance a galop or to move at a similar fast, lively pace.
Johann Strauss I and II, and other 19th-century composers like Offenbach, often wrote galops as lively finales or characteristic pieces.
A lively dance in 2/4 time.
Galop is usually formal / historical in register.
Galop: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡæləp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡæləp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “at a galop”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Gallop' (like a horse) but with an 'o' for 'orchestra' – a fast, orchestral dance.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEED IS A LIVELY DANCE (e.g., 'The project finished at a galop').
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'galop' primarily?