rhythm

rhythm — noun

1. A regularly repeating pattern of beats, stresses, or notes that gives music, poe

1.名詞A2
釋義

A regularly repeating pattern of beats, stresses, or notes that gives music, poetry, or dance its sense of timing and forward movement.

例句

The drummer kept a steady rhythm while the guitarist played the melody.

collocation: keep a steady rhythm

Kian learned to read music by tapping out basic rhythms on a wooden block.

同義詞
  • beat

    refers more narrowly to the basic pulse or unit of time, while 'rhythm' covers the overall pattern

  • tempo

    indicates speed or pace, whereas 'rhythm' emphasises the pattern of strong and weak elements

  • pulse

    suggests the underlying steady beat that drives the music forward

反義詞
  • silence

    the absence of sound, so no rhythmic pattern exists

  • noise

    unstructured, irregular sound with no repeating pattern

文法句型

rhythm + of + noun phrase

a rhythm of [n] beats/bars

用法筆記

Often used with verbs such as 'keep', 'beat', 'tap', 'clap', and 'feel'. Can be countable ('a slow rhythm') or uncountable ('music with a lot of rhythm').

常見錯誤

❌The song has a good rythm.
✅The song has a good rhythm.
💡'rhythm' is one of the most commonly misspelled English words; remember the order: r-h-y-t-h-m.
❌I like the rhythm and the blues.
✅I like rhythm and blues.
💡'rhythm and blues' is a fixed genre name; no article is needed before the word 'rhythm' in this compound.

2. A regular, repeated pattern of physical motion, especially in activities such as

2.名詞B1
釋義

A regular, repeated pattern of physical motion, especially in activities such as walking, running, swimming, or dancing.

例句

The swimmer found her rhythm and glided smoothly through the water.

collocation: find one's rhythm

Chidi maintained a steady running rhythm for the entire ten-kilometre race.

同義詞
  • cadence

    more formal and specific to walking, running, or marching steps

  • flow

    emphasises smooth, effortless motion rather than the pattern of repetition

反義詞
  • clumsiness

    awkward, uncoordinated movement with no smooth pattern

文法句型

possessive + rhythm

find/lose + possessive + rhythm

用法筆記

Commonly appears in the phrase 'find one's rhythm', meaning to reach a comfortable, efficient, and effective pace during a physical activity. 'Lose one's rhythm' is the opposite — to fall out of a smooth pattern.

常見錯誤

❌He runs in a rhythm.
✅He runs with rhythm.' or 'He finds his rhythm.
💡'in a rhythm' is rare and awkward; use 'with rhythm' or the common phrase 'find one's rhythm'.

3. The predictable timing with which natural processes, bodily functions, or everyd

3.名詞B2
釋義

The predictable timing with which natural processes, bodily functions, or everyday routines repeat themselves.

例句

The rhythm of the seasons shapes the lives of farmers around the world.

collocation: rhythm of the seasons

Doctors monitored the rhythm of Anya's heartbeat after her surgery.

pattern: rhythm of heartbeat

同義詞
  • cycle

    more general; a cycle is any repeating sequence, while 'rhythm' implies a natural or organic timing

  • pattern

    broader in meaning and less tied to temporal repetition; a pattern can be spatial or static

反義詞
  • disorder

    the lack of any regular, predictable pattern; randomness

  • chaos

    complete absence of structure or repetition

文法句型

rhythm + of + noun (the rhythm of the seasons)

the [adj] rhythm of [noun]

用法筆記

Frequently used in scientific and medical contexts: 'circadian rhythm' (the 24-hour body clock), 'heart rhythm', 'seasonal rhythm'. In everyday conversation, the phrase 'rhythm of life' refers to the established routine that structures someone's days.

常見錯誤

❌My sleep rhythm is irregularly.
✅My sleep rhythm is irregular.
💡'rhythm' takes an adjective, not an adverb, as a complement.