Definition

A sharp sound made by hitting the rim and head of a drum, often used to emphasize a joke or punchline in performances.

Example

The comedian delivered the punchline, and the drummer followed it with a perfect rimshot.

Conversation

Did you hear that comedian last night?

Yeah, he was hilarious! I loved the use of the rimshot after his punchlines.

I know, right? It really added to the timing of the jokes.

Definitely! A good rimshot can make all the difference in a performance.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Rimshot is formed from "rim" (from Old English "rym", meaning the edge or border) and "shot" (from Old English "sceotan", meaning to throw or discharge). The word describes the sound made by striking a drum rim, often used in comedy to punctuate a joke.

Memory Tip

Think of the 'rim' as the edge of a drum and 'shot' as the action of striking it — that's how a rimshot creates a sharp sound to highlight a punchline.

Visually Confused Words