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

I was on set in a harness, flying, rehearsing stunts.

From Los Angeles Times

Next time, she was in Atlanta, rehearsing for a new Boots Riley film co-starring Demi Moore, about a group of shoplifters.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

She’s in public almost every time one of these dark fantasy incidents occurs, on stage rehearsing, presenting an award, in a meet-and-greet, constantly snapped by camera phones wherever she goes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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