rehearse

[ ri-hurs ]

verb (used with object)

, re·hearsed, re·hears·ing.

1. to practice (a musical composition, a play, a speech, etc.) in private prior to a public presentation.
2. to drill or train (an actor, musician, etc.) by rehearsal, as for some performance or part.
3. to relate the facts or particulars of; recount.

   Synonyms: recapitulate, narrate, portray, describe, delineate

verb (used without object)

, re·hearsed, re·hears·ing.

1. to rehearse a play, part, etc.; participate in a rehearsal.

rehearse

/ rɪˈhɜːs /

verb

1. to practise (a play, concert, etc), in preparation for public performance
2. tr to run through; recount; recite

   the official rehearsed the grievances of the committee

3. tr to train or drill (a person or animal) for the public performance of a part in a play, show, etc

Derived Forms

• reˈhearser, noun

Other Words From

• re·hearsa·ble adjective
• re·hearser noun
• unre·hearsa·ble adjective
• unre·hearsed adjective
• unre·hearsing adjective
• well-re·hearsed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rehearse¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English rehersen, rehercen, from Middle French rehercier “to repeat,” equivalent to re- “again, over and over” + hercier “to strike, harrow” (derivative of herce, herse “a harrow”); re-, hearse

Word History and Origins

Origin of rehearse¹

C16: from Anglo-Norman rehearser , from Old French rehercier to harrow a second time, from re- + herce harrow

Synonym Study

See relate.

Example Sentences

Workers here rehearse and hone key stages of seat assembly, which helps them go faster.

From BBC

A colleague from the “Shohei Ohtani Hometown Cheering Team,” the city’s fan club that Toriumi leads, took the stage to rehearse several chants with the crowd: “Let’s go Shohei!”

From Los Angeles Times

We had to rehearse a lot, and we had a choreographer and all that.

From Los Angeles Times

Oakley will rehearse with JLS singer Gill on Monday.

From BBC

Consuming these narratives lets me mentally rehearse how I would handle these kinds of circumstances if any were to manifest in my real life.

From Salon

Related Words

• go over
• go through
• hone
• recite
• reenact
• warm up
• work out