blues

blues · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A genre of music originating from African American communities, characterized by melancholic melodies and lyrics.

  2. 2.

    Feelings of sadness or depression.

  3. 3.

    (Plural of blue) Shades of the color blue.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    the blues — Feelings of sadness.
  • •
    sing the blues — Express sorrow; complain.
  • •
    have the blues — Feel sad or depressed.
  • •
    rhythm and blues (R&B) — A music genre.
  • •
    baby blues — Mild postnatal depression.

Related words

Antonyms: happiness, joy
See also: blue, jazz, melancholy, sadness
Synonyms: depression, melancholy, sadness

Etymology

From "blue devils," slang for depression or delirium tremens, used in African American English since the late 19th century. The musical genre emerged in the Mississippi Delta.