groove
groove — noun
1. a narrow channel or trench that has been carved or cut into a hard material such
a narrow channel or trench that has been carved or cut into a hard material such as wood, metal, stone, or plastic, often so that something else can fit into it or move along it
Hugo ran his finger along the groove the chisel had cut into the oak board.
groove + in/on [surface] for location
The needle of the record player followed the spiral groove on the vinyl disc.
Rainwater had worn a deep groove into the stone steps over many years.
Each ceramic tile had a narrow groove along its edge so the pieces locked together.
- ridge
the raised line between two grooves
文法句型
groove + in/on [surface]
用法筆記
Often describes manufactured channels that guide a part, hold a joining piece, or carry a liquid. Distinguished from sense 2 (BODY SURFACE) by the material being non-living.
常見錯誤
2. a natural narrow line or furrow that appears on a part of the body, such as skin
a natural narrow line or furrow that appears on a part of the body, such as skin, bone, or muscle, often marking the boundary between structures or providing a path for nerves and blood vessels
Putri pointed to the groove between the two muscles on her forearm.
groove + between [body parts]
A shallow groove on the skull marks where a major blood vessel once lay.
The spinal groove runs down the centre of the back and protects the nerve cord.
Daichi noticed a small groove on the surface of his elbow bone after the X-ray.
- ridge
the raised line next to a groove on a bone or organ
文法句型
groove + in/on/of [body part]
用法筆記
Mostly used in medical or anatomical descriptions. Unlike sense 1 (CUT IN SURFACE), these grooves are natural, not carved. Frequently used with prepositions 'on' or 'of' rather than 'in'.
3. a steady, strong rhythm in music that people find exciting and naturally want to
a steady, strong rhythm in music that people find exciting and naturally want to move their body to, especially in funk, soul, or jazz
The band found their groove halfway through the second song and the crowd came alive.
find + groove (idiomatic phrase for hitting a good rhythm)
Tyler tapped his foot to the deep bass groove that filled the tiny club.
Once the drummer locked into a solid groove, the whole room felt the energy shift.
Zola loves the slow, funky groove of old soul records from the 1970s.
文法句型
[get/find/lock into] + a/the groove
用法筆記
Unlike 'beat' (which is purely about time), 'groove' includes the feel, texture, and interplay of instruments. Frequently used in informal music criticism. The phrase 'get into a groove' can extend beyond music to describe any smooth, productive flow.
常見錯誤
4. a way of living or working that has become so familiar and repetitive that it fe
a way of living or working that has become so familiar and repetitive that it feels boring and difficult to change or escape from
Mei felt stuck in a boring groove — same tasks, same schedule, day after day.
stuck in a groove (fixed expression for a dull routine)
After years at the same office, Ravindra worried he had fallen into a deep groove.
fall into a groove (fixed expression describing the process of becoming stuck)
The daily commute was a comfortable but lifeless groove Jessica wanted to break out of.
A move to a new city helped Baraka escape the groove from his university years.
- spontaneity
freedom from routine and fixed patterns
- variety
opposite of a repetitive, unchanging groove
文法句型
stuck/ trapped in a groove
fall/get into a groove
用法筆記
Almost always negative — it implies boredom and difficulty of escape. Compare with 'in the zone', which describes a positive, focused flow. The related idiom 'in a rut' is more common in everyday speech, but 'groove' in this sense carries the same meaning.
常見錯誤
groove — verb
1. to move your body in a relaxed, flowing way that keeps time with the beat of fun
to move your body in a relaxed, flowing way that keeps time with the beat of funk, soul, or jazz-influenced music
Gabriel closed his eyes and started grooving to the slow funk coming from the speakers.
groove + to [music], no passive
The dancers were grooving together in a smooth, unhurried way that matched the jazz beat.
Linh learned to groove to soul music by watching her grandmother move at family parties.
Instead of jumping around wildly, the crowd was grooving gently from side to side.
文法句型
groove + to/on [music]
用法筆記
Unlike general words for 'dance', grooving suggests slow, cool, relaxed body movement rather than choreographed steps. Common in informal music contexts. Not used with technical or formal dance styles like ballet or ballroom.
常見錯誤
2. to cut a long, narrow channel into a hard surface using a tool or machine, usual
to cut a long, narrow channel into a hard surface using a tool or machine, usually to allow another piece to fit into it or to create a pattern
The carpenter grooved the wooden planks so they could slot together perfectly.
groove + [material] for joining purposes
The machine can groove metal plates at high speed for industrial flooring.
Elena grooved the clay before firing it to create a decorative pattern.
The surface of the stone was grooved with parallel lines to stop people from slipping.
- fill
to put material into a groove or channel
文法句型
groove + [surface/material]
be grooved with [something]
用法筆記
A technical or craft term. More common in the passive voice ('be grooved') or as a past participle ('grooved surface') than in active present-tense use. The noun form (sense 1) is far more frequent in everyday language.