Blues Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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blues

[bluːz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

music

Blues is a genre and musical form that originated in African-American communities in the Southern United States around the end of the 19th century. It is characterized by its melancholic lyrics, soulful melodies, and often expresses feelings of sadness, loneliness, or longing.

Synonyms

melancholy music, mournful tunes, soulful music.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
blues	Used to describe a feeling of sadness or depression. It often has a casual or conversational tone. He's got the blues after the breakup A long winter can really give you the blues
melancholy music	Used to refer to music that evokes deep, reflective, and often sorrowful emotions. It is not limited to a specific genre. The film's soundtrack is full of melancholy music that matches its theme She finds solace in melancholy music when she needs to reflect
soulful music	Refers to music that expresses deep emotion, often with a focus on personal or spiritual longing. It can be uplifting or sad. Her performance of soulful music captivated the audience He loves listening to soulful music when he needs inspiration
mournful tunes	Describes music that expresses deep sadness or sorrow, often used in contexts related to mourning or loss. The funerals were marked by mournful tunes that brought tears to everyone's eyes The violinist played mournful tunes that filled the room with a sense of loss

Examples of usage

The blues singer captivated the audience with her emotional performance.
Listening to blues music can be a cathartic experience for many people.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

color

Blues is a color between green and violet in the spectrum, often associated with the sky or sea. It is calming and soothing, and is often used to represent tranquility, peace, and serenity.

Synonyms

azure, blue color, sapphire.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
blues	Used to describe a feeling of sadness or melancholy, often used in an artistic or musical context. She's been feeling the blues since her dog passed away. The painting has a touch of the blues, reflecting the artist's somber mood.
blue color	A general term referring to any shade of blue, used in everyday conversation to describe items, decorations, and other objects. She chose a blue color for the walls of her bedroom. The team wore blue color jerseys during the match.
azure	Refers specifically to a bright, clear blue color, often used in poetic or descriptive language, especially when talking about the sky or the sea. The skies were azure, with not a cloud in sight. They sailed on the azure waters of the Mediterranean.
sapphire	Describes a specific, rich and deep shade of blue, often associated with the gemstone. Commonly used in contexts related to luxury, fashion, and high-quality items. She wore a stunning sapphire dress to the gala. His eyes were the color of sapphire, deep and captivating.

Examples of usage

She painted her bedroom walls in a soft shade of blues.
The artist used blues and greens to create a sense of harmony in the painting.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'blues'

The term 'blues' in relation to music is believed to have originated from the expression 'the blue devils', meaning melancholy and sadness. The genre evolved from African American spirituals, work songs, field hollers, and chants. Blues music became popular in the early 20th century, with artists like Bessie Smith, Robert Johnson, and Muddy Waters contributing to its growth and influence. The color 'blues' has been used since the 13th century, derived from the Old French word 'bleu', and has been associated with calmness and tranquility throughout history.

See also: blue, blueish, blueprint, bluish.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,857, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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10854 yea
10855 bowls
10856 invade
10857 blues
10858 gall
10859 hemoglobin
10860 metaphysics
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