groove

 
Pronunciation: /gruːv/

noun

  • 1a long, narrow cut or depression in a hard material.
  • a spiral track cut in a record, into which the stylus fits.
  • Climbing an indentation where two planes of rock meet at an angle of more than 120°.
  • 2an established routine or habit: his thoughts were slipping into a familiar groove
  • 3 informal a particular rhythm in popular or jazz music: her vocals drift delicately across a soaring soul groove

verb

  • 1 [with object] make a groove or grooves in: deep lines grooved her face
  • 2 [no object] informal dance to or play popular or jazz music: they were grooving to Motown
  • dated play popular or jazz music in an accomplished manner: the rhythm section grooves in the true Basie manner
  • enjoy oneself: Harley relaxed and began to groove
  • 3 [with object] Baseball, informal pitch (a ball) in the centre of the strike zone: he grooved a fastball in the 9th inning
  • North American (in the context of other sports) kick or throw (the ball) successfully; score (a goal) with stylish ease: the San Diego kicker grooved the winning field goal

Phrases

in (or into) the groove

informal
performing consistently well or confidently: it might take me a couple of races to get back into the groove
enjoying oneself, especially by dancing: get into the groove!

Derivatives

groover

noun

Origin:

Middle English (denoting a mine or shaft): from Dutch groeve 'furrow, pit'; related to grave1