Meaning & use
syncopate
Last updated
UK/ˈsɪŋkəpeɪt/
US/ˈsɪŋkəpeɪt/
Meaning
verbtransitivetechnicalmusic
To change a rhythm by putting the stress on a beat that is normally weak or unaccented.
Grammar: Takes an object: syncopate a rhythm, syncopate a melody.
Patterns
- syncopate something
- syncopate the rhythm
- syncopate a beat
The composer syncopated the main theme to give it a jazz feel.
If you syncopate the melody, it becomes much harder to dance to.
The drummer syncopated the beat, accenting the offbeats.
Word forms
| third person singular | syncopates |
|---|---|
| past tense | syncopated |
| past participle | syncopated |
| -ing form | syncopating |
Common combinations
- syncopate the rhythm
- The arranger decided to syncopate the rhythm in the chorus.
- heavily syncopated
- The piece is heavily syncopated, with accents on the weak beats.
- syncopate a melody
- He syncopated the melody to make it sound more modern.
Synonyms and how they differ
- offbeat
- Adjective meaning not on the main beat; it describes the result, while syncopate is the action of creating it.
Word family
- syncopation noun
- The rhythmic effect produced by syncopating.
- syncopated adjective
- Having a rhythm with accents on normally weak beats.
Practice
Jazz musicians often ___ the beat to create a sense of swing.
Choose one answer.
Syncopate means to shift the accent to a weak beat, which is typical in jazz. Synchronize means to make things happen at the same time, which does not fit the musical context.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “syncopate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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