Definition

Noun: A person whose job is to play recorded popular music, typically on the radio or at a club or party, and often to provide commentary between songs.

Usage

The term "disk jockey" (often abbreviated as DJ) refers to a professional who selects and plays pre-recorded music for an audience. Their role involves not just playing music but also engaging with listeners, making announcements, and sometimes mixing tracks together.

Examples

• The disk jockey took requests from the crowd at the wedding reception.
• She works as a disk jockey for a local radio station, hosting the evening show.
• A good disk jockey knows how to keep the energy high on the dance floor.

Advanced Usage

• "to disk-jockey" (verb, less common): To perform the work of a disk jockey.
  • He will disk-jockey the charity event next Saturday.

Variants and Related Words

• DJ (n. & v.): The universal abbreviation for "disk jockey." Also used as a verb (e.g., ).
• Radio DJ: A disk jockey who works specifically for a radio broadcast.
• Club DJ: A disk jockey who performs in nightclubs, often specializing in mixing and beatmatching.
• Turntablist: A DJ who uses turntables and a mixer to create new music and sound effects through scratching and beat juggling; emphasizes the technical, performative aspect.

Synonyms

• DJ: The direct abbreviation.
• Deejay: An alternative spelling of the abbreviation.
• Selector: A term, especially in reggae and dancehall culture, for a person who selects and plays records.
• MC (Master of Ceremonies): While often paired with a DJ, an MC traditionally focuses on vocal hosting and rapping. The roles can overlap.

Related Phrases

• To spin records/disks: A traditional phrase meaning to play music as a DJ.
  • The legendary DJ will spin records at the festival.
• To mix tracks: To blend two or more songs together seamlessly, a key skill for many DJs.
  • Watch how she mixes tracks without missing a beat.

Noun

1. a person who announces and plays popular recorded music