noun
groove
A long narrow channel; informally, a settled rhythm, habit, or enjoyable flow.
Where it comes from
Groove ordinarily means a long narrow channel; informally, a settled rhythm, habit, or enjoyable flow. Groove came from a Germanic family of words for a pit, ditch, cave, or something dug. English narrowed it to a long channel; the spiral channel of a phonograph record made sound physically travel in a groove. A groove already meant a fixed rut or routine.
How the meaning developed
Recorded music then supplied a more positive turn: the track's channel became associated with compelling rhythm, harmonious playing, and being comfortably in form.
Sources
Definitions adapted from Open English WordNet where applicable. License and attribution. Word-history text comes from Lexifour’s sourced social research; pages are assembled automatically, not individually fact-checked on every update.
Updated 2026-10-05. Report a correction.