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Definition of rockabilly

rockabilly

/ˈrɑːkəˌbɪli/
rock · a · bil · ly
Plural:rockabillies
•
Adjective:rockabilly
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rockabilly Lexical Profile

rockabilly Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

One of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, originating in the American South in the early 1950s and blending rhythm and blues with traditional country and western music.

Example

"Early pioneers of rockabilly featured energetic vocals, twangy electric guitars, and a slapped upright bass."

2

A performer or devoted fan of rockabilly music and its associated subculture.

Example

"Hundreds of rockabillies gathered at the summer festival to showcase their vintage cars and dance to live bands."

• adjective

1

Relating to or characteristic of rockabilly music, its performers, or its associated 1950s-inspired subculture and fashion.

Example

"She wore a vintage polka-dot dress and styled her hair in a classic rockabilly aesthetic."

• Nearby Words

rock python
rock rattlesnake
rock rose
rockabilly
rockabye
rocker
rockery

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-1950s as a portmanteau blending 'rock' (from rock and roll) and 'hillbilly' (then a common music-industry term for country music).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Rockabilly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/rockabilly
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