*SET-U

English word origin

Etymology of emo

Clipping of emotional. Compound emocore first attested in 1986. Word emo first attested in 1988. Generally used as an umbrella term.

1 source sectionExtended source reportWiktionary original ↗
In this entry · 1 source sections

The source etymologies

Wiktionary via Kaikki / Wiktextract

The source reports below are imported and unreviewed by *SET-U. Separate numbered origins and differing source variants are preserved; agreement within this extraction is not independent corroboration.

Unnumbered source etymology

Original entry ↗
noun

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). · 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. · A commercially successful 2000s alternative rock and pop-punk movement characterized by theatricality, melancholic, or romantically frustrated themes, and highly polished production. · Electronic-infused subgenres incorporating aggressive, satirical, or hedonistic themes layered over post-hardcore or pop-punk foundations (e.g., crunkcore, neon pop-punk).

adj

Associated with youth subcultures which are associated with the above-mentioned musical genre(s) and with emotional sensitivity. · Emotional, sensitive, or contemplative; regardless of musical preference or subcultural affiliation. · Depressed. · 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.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Clipping of emotional. Compound emocore first attested in 1986. Word emo first attested in 1988. Generally used as an umbrella term.

This page abbreviates 4 auxiliary source items. The etymology narrative is not shortened. Omission counts are available in the audit fields below; consult the original for complete auxiliary material.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

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    ],
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      "umbrella term"
    ]
  ],
  "references": [],
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  "lexical": [
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      "pos": "noun",
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        "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).",
        "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.",
        "A commercially successful 2000s alternative rock and pop-punk movement characterized by theatricality, melancholic, or romantically frustrated themes, and highly polished production.",
        "Electronic-infused subgenres incorporating aggressive, satirical, or hedonistic themes layered over post-hardcore or pop-punk foundations (e.g., crunkcore, neon pop-punk)."
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      "pos": "adj",
      "glosses": [
        "Associated with youth subcultures which are associated with the above-mentioned musical genre(s) and with emotional sensitivity.",
        "Emotional, sensitive, or contemplative; regardless of musical preference or subcultural affiliation.",
        "Depressed.",
        "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."
      ],
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}

Where this record stops

This page does not supply an independently verified sound-change sequence, first-use manuscript or complete family tree unless a cited analysis explicitly establishes one. Missing detail here is a limit of this record—not a claim that humanity knows nothing more.

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Contribute located evidence for emo →

Source and snapshot

Imported from Wiktionary contributors; extracted by Tatu Ylonen / Wiktextract / Kaikki.org. Selected fields are reformatted and grouped; wording, source identity and etymology sections are retained. CC-BY-SA-4.0 applies to the imported source material.

Dump: 2026-10-01 · Extracted: 2026-10-30. These are snapshot dates, not the word’s first attestation or the page’s revision date.

Source entry and bibliography ↗Wiktionary revision history ↗Acquisition and rights ledger
Machine-source provenance
Source SHA-256
5ff2c072f8099f2d2ce484bd6957bf179f046d2ad37bc36555edf8bb84cb5291
Import run
73216b9a9b78ed3830994bf853103716f5a4dc57099e371e9f8fdc468facca26
Permanent entry ID
w-ZW1v