Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music A subgenre of late 1980s hardcore punk originating in Washington D.C., characterized by intense, highly emotional performances, dynamic shifts, and a departure from traditional punk song structures (also emocore).
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Entertainment, Lifestyle, MusicBroadly A 1990s indie rock movement characterized by complex guitar work (often borrowing from math rock), dynamic shifts, arpeggiated melodies, and deeply introspective lyrics; commonly referred to as Midwest emo.
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Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music A commercially successful 2000s alternative rock and pop-punk movement characterized by theatricality, melancholic, or romantically frustrated themes, and highly polished production.
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Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music Electronic-infused subgenres incorporating aggressive, satirical, or hedonistic themes layered over post-hardcore or pop-punk foundations (e.g., crunkcore, neon pop-punk).
› An individual presenting as such… › A person associated with that subculture and…
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A person associated with a fashion or stereotype of that style of rock.
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A participant in the heavily aestheticized 2000s and 2010s subculture.
› An individual presenting as such…
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(by extension) A typically young individual whose outward persona is characterized by introspection, sensitivity, melancholy, or angst; considered to be overly emotional or who is associated with the emo subculture.
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Broadly, Derogatory Sometimes used pejoratively to imply inauthenticity (poser) or used ironically to denote exaggerated teenage rebellion.
emo
adj
Etymology Clipping of emotional. Compound emocore first attested in 1986. Word emo first attested in 1988. Generally used as an umbrella term.
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Associated with youth subcultures which are associated with the above-mentioned musical genre(s) and with emotional sensitivity.
The one thing everyone agrees on is that they've never encountered a band that claimed to be emo.2007, James A. Reinking, Robert Von Der Osten, Strategies for successful writing:
Trevor looks kind of emo, rail thin, dark hair, guyliner, wears black all the time.2012, Megan Bostic, Never Eighteen:
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Broadly, Derogatory, Informal, Often Emotional, sensitive, or contemplative; regardless of musical preference or subcultural affiliation.
Criticism drapes a black velvet cape across the puddle that interrupts the path to change, to be emo about it.2008, Vanity Fair, number 578:
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Fashion, Lifestyle Exhibiting a fashion or visual aesthetic associated with the subculture; a presentation deliberately or unintentionally incorporating dark clothing, asymmetrical haircuts covering one eye, studded accessories, and often borrowing elements from gothic fashion, Burtonesque macabre, or brightly colored scene or geek aesthetics.
Hot Topic is historically recognized as the go-to mall emo store, particularly during the 2000s, serving as a primary hub for alternative, scene, and punk fashion, music merch, and accessories like studded belts.