emo
Any form of guitar-driven alternative rock that is particularly or notably emotional; a broadly encompassing genre of rock music characterized by expressive, often confessional lyrics.
Slang comparison
emovsgoth
What's the difference between emo and goth?
Both are dark-aesthetic subcultures, but they come from different lineages. Goth (1980s, post-punk roots, Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy) is older and more theatrical — Victorian, vampiric, full commitment. Emo (2000s, post-hardcore roots, My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy) is more confessional, less theatrical, side-bang-coded.
Side-by-side
| Dimension | emo | goth |
|---|---|---|
| Category | 🎵 Music & Lyrics | 🎵 Music & Lyrics |
| Region | Global | — |
| Lifecycle | Historical | Historical |
| First attested | ~1985 | ~1967 |
| Generation | millennial | gen x |
| Views | 72 | 62 |
| Editorial status | community | community |
Top definitions
goth
(uncountable) A punk-derived subculture of people who predominantly dress in black, associated with mournful music and attitudes.
Origin: From gothic rock, first used by John Stickney in reference to The Doors in 1967 and used by the late 1970s to describe the musical scene that gave rise to the goth subculture, both from a supposed aesthetic similarity to dark and moody 19th century gothic fiction and earlier gothic art and architecture, from , from , from + -ic, proposed to derive from unattested. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Usage guidance
When to use emo
2000s-coded — confessional lyrics, side-swept hair, band tees, more pop-punk-adjacent.
When to use goth
Older, more theatrical — Victorian/vampiric aesthetics, full black, post-punk roots.
FAQ
What's the difference between emo and goth?+
Both are dark-aesthetic subcultures, but they come from different lineages. Goth (1980s, post-punk roots, Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy) is older and more theatrical — Victorian, vampiric, full commitment. Emo (2000s, post-hardcore roots, My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy) is more confessional, less theatrical, side-bang-coded.
When should I use emo?+
2000s-coded — confessional lyrics, side-swept hair, band tees, more pop-punk-adjacent.
When should I use goth?+
Older, more theatrical — Victorian/vampiric aesthetics, full black, post-punk roots.
Are emo and goth interchangeable?+
They overlap heavily but the connotations are different. Use the "when to use" sections above to pick the right one.