syncopate

A verb used in music to describe the act of altering the rhythm by stressing a normally weak beat or shifting the accent.

• 🇩🇪Musikalischer Fachbegriff: den Rhythmus verändern, indem normalerweise unbetonte Zählzeiten betont oder Akzente verschoben werden.

1. Omit a sound or letter C1 formal

   To shorten a word by omitting a sound or letter from the middle.

   • In poetry, 'over' is sometimes syncopated to 'o'er'.
   • The word 'cannot' is often syncopated to 'can't' in speech.
   • He syncopated the word 'every' to 'ev'ry' in the song.

   🇩🇪Verkürzen

   Synonyme: abbreviatecontractelideshorten

2. Alter musical rhythm C1 formal

   To modify a musical rhythm by stressing a normally weak beat or omitting a strong one.

   • Jazz musicians often syncopate the rhythm to create a lively feel.
   • The drummer syncopated the beat, making the song more dynamic.
   • She learned to syncopate the melody for a more complex sound.

   🇩🇪Synkopieren

• syncopated past participle
• syncopated past simple
• syncopating present participle
• syncopates third person singular