Meaning of blues in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /bluz/

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  1. Noun

    blues

    Etymology

    mid 18th century (in blues (sense 2)): elliptically from blue devils ‘depression or delirium tremens’

    Definitions

    1. a type of folksong that originated among Black Americans at the beginning of the 20th century

    Examples

    • « has a melancholy sound from repeated use of blue notes »
  2. 2. a state of depression

    Examples

    • « he had a bad case of the blues »

Famous quotes

  • « My first car was a 1976 Toyota Corolla Liftback in red, like the one in 'The Blues Brothers.' I painted a Union Jack on the roof. I was absolutely in love with it until I destroyed it, which broke my heart! »
    Richard Hammond
  • « The blues is losing someone you love and not having enough money to immerse yourself in drink. »
    Henry Rollins
  • « To me, the blues is an infection. I don't think it's necessarily a melancholy thing the blues can be really positive and I think I think anyone and everyone can have a place for the blues. It need not always a woeful, sorrowful thing. It's more reflective it reminds you to feel. »
    Mick Fleetwood
  • « The delta blues is a low-down, dirty shame blues. It's a sad, big wide sound, something to make you think about people who are dead or the women who left you. »
    David Edwards
  • « I don't wanta do any Blues or any sad songs. »
    Bob Livingston

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