rehearse
B2Neutral to formal; common in performing arts, education, and professional contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To practise a play, piece of music, or other performance in order to prepare for a public presentation.
To practise or repeat something privately or mentally; to recount or list events or details in order.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies preparation, repetition, and refinement. It can refer to both physical practice (e.g., actors rehearsing lines) and mental preparation (e.g., rehearsing an argument).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation follow standard UK/US patterns.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with theatre and classical music in UK contexts; in US contexts, also strongly associated with film, TV, and popular music rehearsals.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] rehearses [Object][Subject] rehearses for [Event][Subject] rehearses [Object] with [Person/Group][Subject] rehearses [Object] in [Location]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Rehearse your lines”
- “Rehearse in your head”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To practise a presentation or pitch before delivering it to clients.
Academic
To prepare for a conference talk, viva, or teaching session.
Everyday
To practise a wedding speech or a story you plan to tell.
Technical
In theatre/film: the process of preparing a performance through repeated practice.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The cast will rehearse the final act this afternoon.
- She rehearsed her apology in front of the mirror.
American English
- The band needs to rehearse the new song before the gig.
- He rehearsed his testimony with his lawyer.
adverb
British English
- The scene was performed rehearsedly, with perfect timing.
- (Note: 'rehearsedly' is very rare and formal.)
American English
- He answered rehearsedly, as if reading from a script.
- (Note: 'rehearsedly' is very rare and formal.)
adjective
British English
- The rehearsal room was booked for three hours.
- She gave a rehearsed answer to the difficult question.
American English
- The rehearsal schedule is posted backstage.
- His speech sounded rehearsed and insincere.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We rehearse for the school play every Tuesday.
- The children rehearsed a song for their parents.
- You should rehearse your presentation several times before the meeting.
- The actors rehearsed the difficult scene until it was perfect.
- Despite rehearsing his arguments meticulously, he felt nervous during the debate.
- The orchestra has been rehearsing the symphony for weeks.
- She mentally rehearsed the conversation she was about to have with her manager.
- The legal team rehearsed the cross-examination with a stand-in witness.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HERD of actors in a REHEARSal hall, all practising together. RE-HEARSE sounds like 'hear again', which is what you do when you repeat lines.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A PERFORMANCE (rehearsing for an interview), THINKING IS REHEARSING (rehearsing an excuse).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from 'репетировать' for non-performance contexts (e.g., 'rehearse a lesson' is less common than 'prepare a lesson').
- Do not confuse with 'repeat' (повторять) – 'rehearse' implies preparation for a future event.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'rehearse' without an object incorrectly (e.g., 'We rehearsed for the play' is better than 'We rehearsed the play').
- Confusing 'rehearse' with 'practice' (US) / 'practise' (UK) in non-performance contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'rehearse' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The main noun form is 'rehearsal' (e.g., dress rehearsal, rehearsal room).
Yes, it can be used metaphorically for any situation requiring preparation through repetition, such as rehearsing an excuse or a business negotiation.
'Rehearse' often implies preparation for a specific, scheduled performance or event. 'Practice' is more general and can refer to improving a skill over time without an immediate goal.
It comes from Middle English 'rehersen', from Old French 'rehercier' (to repeat, literally 'to harrow again'), based on Latin 're-' (again) and a root related to 'harrow' (a farming tool). The original sense was 'repeat aloud' or 'go over again'.