rehearse

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/rɪˈhɜːrs/
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To practise something before performance or delivery, and more formally to repeat or set out ideas, facts, or arguments already prepared.
Practice using rehearse in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • She rehearsed the argument she had heard from her mentor.
  • We rehearsed the opening speech to make the timing work.
  • They rehearsed the accusations that had circulated online.
  • The politician rehearsed the same talking points at every rally.
  • He will rehearse the violin solo with the orchestra tomorrow.

Similar words

practice
restate
reiterate
recount
drill
prepare
run through
recite
repeat
go over

Meanings

Practise for performance

verb
performing arts
neutral
To practise a play, speech, piece of music, dance, or planned action before presenting or doing it.

Usage

Use rehearse when preparation is for a performance, presentation, ceremony, or planned sequence that needs smooth delivery.

Examples

  • The cast rehearses every evening before opening night.
  • She rehearsed the piano concerto twice last week.
  • They are rehearsing the dance routine for the competition.
  • The director asked the actors to rehearse their lines together.
  • We rehearsed the opening speech to make the timing work.
  • He will rehearse the violin solo with the orchestra tomorrow.

Common mistakes

The third-person -s is dropped, or rehearse is used for preparation with no performance or sequence in view.
IncorrectCorrect
She rehearse every night. She rehearses every night.
He rehearsed the budget meeting. He rehearsed the speech for the budget meeting.
They rehearsed the new software. They rehearsed the software demonstration.
We rehearsed for the exam by reading silently. We studied for the exam by reading silently.

Similar words

practise
practice
prepare
drill
run through
go over
train

Repeat familiar ideas

verb
communication
formal
To repeat, recount, or set out ideas, arguments, or facts that have already been prepared or expressed.

Usage

Use rehearse for repeated arguments, facts, or talking points, often with a formal or mildly critical tone.

Examples

  • The politician rehearsed the same talking points at every rally.
  • She rehearsed the argument she had heard from her mentor.
  • The article rehearses familiar claims about the crisis.
  • He kept rehearsing the phrase "we must act now" in meetings.
  • They rehearsed the accusations that had circulated online.
  • The introduction rehearses the facts before giving its judgment.

Common mistakes

The verb is used for inventing new ideas instead of repeating or setting out something already formed.
IncorrectCorrect
The activist rehearsed a fresh proposal for the first time. The activist presented a fresh proposal for the first time.
She rehearsed a novel she had not written yet. She outlined a novel she had not written yet.
He rehearsed the plan that had never been discussed before. He devised the plan that had never been discussed before.
The report rehearses brand-new evidence it does not mention. The report introduces brand-new evidence.

Similar words

repeat
reiterate
restate
recite
recount
set out
go over

Usage

Use rehearse for performance preparation first, and for repeated arguments or facts when the tone is formal, literary, or mildly critical.

Common mistakes

She rehearse drops the third-person -s, and rehearse is sometimes used where study, prepare, present, or invent is more accurate.

Etymology

From Middle English rehercen, from Anglo-French or Old French forms meaning to go over again or repeat.

FAQ

What does rehearse mean?

Rehearse means to practise something before a performance, presentation, ceremony, or planned action.

Can rehearse mean repeat an argument?

Yes. In a formal or critical use, rehearse can mean to repeat or set out familiar arguments, facts, or claims.

Is rehearse a regular verb?

Yes. The forms are rehearse, rehearses, rehearsed, and rehearsing.

What is the difference between rehearse and practice?

Rehearse usually prepares for a specific performance or delivery, while practice is broader and can mean any repeated training.

Can you rehearse a speech?

Yes. A speech, presentation, play, song, routine, or ceremony can all be rehearsed.

Where does rehearse come from?

Rehearse comes from older French forms meaning to go over again or repeat.

Comments & contributions

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Dusty Capybara
Jul 8
funny word, it always feels like curtains and folding chairs to me lol
1
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Contribution
Cozy Ermine
Jul 5
You can rehearse an awkward conversation too. It is not a performance, but there is still a script-ish sequence in your head, like interview answers or how to raise a complaint without sounding rude.
3
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Cosmic Newt
Jul 2
Psychology has a separate noun use: rehearsal in memory. Maintenance rehearsal is repeating a number in your head long enough to dial it, elaborative rehearsal is making links so you actually remember it later. not the theatre meaning at all.
5
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Dusty Mouse
Jun 28
The formal sense is not only politics. In academic writing you see sentences like "chapter 1 rehearses the old debate", meaning it lays out stuff readers may already know. In normal speech that sounds a bit pompous, I'd say goes over or repeats.
6
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Spry Pika
Jun 27
Theatre ppl use rehearse for more than lines. A cue-to-cue is mostly lights and sound and skips chunks, a dry tech may have no actors, and a dress rehearsal is the almost-show version. Learners sometimes think every rehearsal is full scenes, nah.
8
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Misty Seal
Jun 16
In music, rehearse usually means the group part, not just sitting alone with the instrument. I practice scales at home, but I rehearse with the band or orchestra. If you say "I rehearsed piano for two hours" people get it, but it sounds a bit stagey.
12
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Cozy Duck
Jun 24
same in choir, we say rehearsal for Thursday night and practice for the stuff you do before you show up
2
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