A1 noun Neutral

rehearsal

/rɪˈhɜːrsəl/

A rehearsal is a practice session for a play, concert, or other public performance. It is a time when performers prepare and fix mistakes before the actual event takes place.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I have a dance rehearsal after school today.

I have a dance rehearsal after school today.

2

The director requested a full rehearsal of the second act to ensure timing is perfect.

The director requested a full rehearsal of the second act to ensure timing is perfect.

3

I'm heading to band rehearsal, see you later!

I'm heading to band rehearsal, see you later!

Word Family

Noun
rehearsal
Verb
rehearse
Adjective
rehearsed
Related
rehearser
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 're-hear-sal'. You need to let people 'hear' the performance again and again until it is perfect.

Quick Quiz

The actors are very tired because they had a five-hour ___ last night.

Correct!

The correct answer is: rehearsal

Examples

1

I have a dance rehearsal after school today.

everyday

I have a dance rehearsal after school today.

2

The director requested a full rehearsal of the second act to ensure timing is perfect.

formal

The director requested a full rehearsal of the second act to ensure timing is perfect.

3

I'm heading to band rehearsal, see you later!

informal

I'm heading to band rehearsal, see you later!

4

Effective mental rehearsal can significantly reduce anxiety during public speaking.

academic

Effective mental rehearsal can significantly reduce anxiety during public speaking.

5

Let's do a quick rehearsal of the sales pitch before we meet the clients.

business

Let's do a quick rehearsal of the sales pitch before we meet the clients.

Word Family

Noun
rehearsal
Verb
rehearse
Adjective
rehearsed
Related
rehearser

Common Collocations

dress rehearsal dress rehearsal
final rehearsal final rehearsal
wedding rehearsal wedding rehearsal
hold a rehearsal hold a rehearsal
choir rehearsal choir rehearsal

Common Phrases

in rehearsal

in rehearsal

dress rehearsal

dress rehearsal

technical rehearsal

technical rehearsal

Often Confused With

rehearsal vs practice

Practice is a general term for improving a skill, while rehearsal specifically refers to practicing for a scheduled performance.

📝

Usage Notes

The word is primarily used in the context of the performing arts, but it is also used for important social events like weddings or professional presentations.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'do a rehearsal' instead of the more natural 'have a rehearsal' or 'go to rehearsal.'

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 're-hear-sal'. You need to let people 'hear' the performance again and again until it is perfect.

📖

Word Origin

From the Middle French word 'rehercer', which means to 'harrow again' or to go over something repeatedly.

Grammar Patterns

countable noun (rehearsals) often used with verbs like 'have', 'attend', or 'conduct' can be used as a compound noun (e.g., choir rehearsal)
🌍

Cultural Context

In many English-speaking cultures, a 'wedding rehearsal' is a formal event held the evening before a wedding so the participants know where to stand and walk.

Quick Quiz

The actors are very tired because they had a five-hour ___ last night.

Correct!

The correct answer is: rehearsal

More art words

painting

A1

A painting is a picture that someone makes using paint. It is usually created on a surface like paper or canvas and is considered a piece of art.

sculpture

A1

A sculpture is a three-dimensional piece of art made by shaping or carving materials like stone, wood, metal, or clay. Unlike a painting, you can walk around a sculpture and see it from many different angles.

sketch

A1

A simple drawing that is done quickly and without many details. It is often used as a rough draft or a plan for a more finished piece of art.

portrait

A1

A portrait is a painting, drawing, or photograph of a person, usually focusing on the face and shoulders. It is created to show what the person looks like and often to express their personality.

landscape

A1

A landscape is a painting, photograph, or view of a wide area of land. In art, it usually shows natural scenes like mountains, trees, and rivers instead of people.

still life

A1

A still life is a type of art, such as a painting or photograph, that shows objects that do not move. Common subjects include everyday items like fruit, flowers, bottles, or bowls.

cubism

A1

Cubism is a style of modern art that shows objects and people as simple geometric shapes like cubes, triangles, and circles. Instead of looking realistic from one side, the art shows the subject from many different angles at the same time.

surrealism

A1

Surrealism is a style of art and literature that mixes real objects in strange or impossible ways, like in a dream. It aims to show the power of the imagination and the hidden thoughts of the mind.

contemporary art

A1

Contemporary art is art produced at the present period in time. It includes works made by artists living today and reflects the issues of our modern world.

easel

A1

An easel is a wooden or metal frame that stands on three legs. It is used to hold a canvas or a board while an artist is painting or drawing on it.

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