A1 noun Neutral

metal

/ˈmɛt.əl/

Metal, also known as heavy metal, is a genre of rock music that is very loud and powerful. It is known for its use of distorted electric guitars, strong rhythms, and often aggressive vocals.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I usually listen to metal when I want to feel energetic.

I usually listen to metal when I want to feel energetic.

2

The history of metal reflects a significant shift in 20th-century musical aesthetics.

The history of metal reflects a significant shift in 20th-century musical aesthetics.

3

This new metal track is totally insane, you have to hear the guitar solo.

This new metal track is totally insane, you have to hear the guitar solo.

Word Family

Noun
metal
Adjective
metallic
Related
metalhead
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'metal' strings on an electric guitar vibrating really hard to make a loud sound.

Quick Quiz

My favorite ____ band is playing a concert in London tonight.

Correct!

The correct answer is: metal

Examples

1

I usually listen to metal when I want to feel energetic.

everyday

I usually listen to metal when I want to feel energetic.

2

The history of metal reflects a significant shift in 20th-century musical aesthetics.

formal

The history of metal reflects a significant shift in 20th-century musical aesthetics.

3

This new metal track is totally insane, you have to hear the guitar solo.

informal

This new metal track is totally insane, you have to hear the guitar solo.

4

Academic studies often explore the sociological impact of the metal subculture.

academic

Academic studies often explore the sociological impact of the metal subculture.

5

The company decided to sponsor the upcoming European metal festival to reach a younger demographic.

business

The company decided to sponsor the upcoming European metal festival to reach a younger demographic.

Word Family

Noun
metal
Adjective
metallic
Related
metalhead

Common Collocations

heavy metal heavy metal
metal band metal band
metal fan metal fan
metal concert metal concert
death metal death metal

Common Phrases

metalhead

a person who is a big fan of metal music

heavy metal

the full name of the music genre

into metal

to be a fan of metal music

Often Confused With

metal vs medal

A medal is a small flat piece of metal given as a prize, whereas metal here refers to the music genre.

metal vs rock

Rock is a broad category of music; metal is a specific, heavier subgenre within it.

📝

Usage Notes

When talking about music, 'metal' is almost always short for 'heavy metal.' It is used as an uncountable noun (I like metal) or as an adjective (a metal band).

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse the spelling with 'medal' because they sound identical in some accents. Also, don't use 'a metal' when referring to the music genre; it should be used without an article.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'metal' strings on an electric guitar vibrating really hard to make a loud sound.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the physical material 'metal' because the music is perceived as hard, heavy, and industrial.

Grammar Patterns

Uncountable noun when referring to the music genre. Used as an attributive noun (metal band, metal music). No plural form when used for the musical style.
🌍

Cultural Context

Metal has a very loyal global following, often identified by fans wearing black clothing and using the 'horns' hand gesture.

Quick Quiz

My favorite ____ band is playing a concert in London tonight.

Correct!

The correct answer is: metal

More music words

sharp

A1

In music, a sharp is a symbol (#) that tells a player to play a note one half-step higher. It also refers to the specific note that has been raised.

note

A1

In music, a note is a single sound with a specific pitch and length. It also refers to the written symbol on a page that tells a musician which sound to play.

flat

A1

In music, a flat is a symbol (♭) that tells a musician to play a note a half-step lower than usual. It also describes a sound or voice that is slightly lower than the correct musical pitch.

beat

A1

The regular pulse or rhythm in a piece of music that you can clap your hands or tap your feet to. It is the basic unit of time in a song that helps musicians stay together.

scale

A1

A musical scale is a set of musical notes ordered by pitch, going up or down in a specific pattern. It acts like a ladder of sounds that musicians use to create melodies and harmonies.

melody

A1

A melody is a sequence of musical notes that are pleasant to listen to and form a main tune. It is the part of a song that people usually hum or sing along with.

bar

A1

In music, a bar is a short section of music that contains a specific number of beats. It is shown on paper by vertical lines that divide the musical staff into equal parts.

time signature

A1

A time signature is a set of two numbers at the beginning of a piece of music. It tells the musician how many beats are in each measure and which note value represents one beat.

violin

A1

A musical instrument with four strings that is held under the chin and played with a bow. It is known for its high-pitched, expressive sound and is used in many types of music, especially classical and folk.

viola

A1

A viola is a musical instrument with four strings that is held under the chin and played with a bow. It looks like a violin but is slightly larger and has a deeper, lower sound.

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