reggae

[ reg-ey ]
/ ˈrɛg eɪ /

noun

a style of Jamaican popular music blending blues, calypso, and rock-'n'-roll, characterized by a strong syncopated rhythm and lyrics of social protest.

Origin of reggae

< Jamaican English, respelling of reggay (introduced in the song “Do the Reggay” (1968) by Frederick “Toots” Hibbert), a dance name based on rege, *strege a dowdy or raggedy fellow; compare rege-rege ragged clothing, quarrel, row

Words nearby reggae

regent, regent bowerbird, regent honeyeater, regent's park, reger, reggae, reggaeton, reggio calabria, reggio di calabria, reggio emilia, reggio nell'emilia

Example sentences from the Web for reggae

British Dictionary definitions for reggae

reggae
/ (ˈrɛɡeɪ) /

noun

a type of West Indian popular music having four beats to the bar, the upbeat being strongly accented

Word Origin for reggae

C20: of West Indian origin

Cultural definitions for reggae

reggae
[ (reg-ay) ]

A form of pop music that originated in Jamaica, combining elements of calypso and rhythm and blues (see blues) with a strongly accentuated offbeat. Bob Marley was the first internationally known reggae musician.