noun Uncommon

banjo

BAN-joh

Banjo (noun) means a stringed instrument with a round, drum-like body and a long fretted neck, played by plucking or strumming. Example: “He picked up the banjo and started playing an old bluegrass tune.”

noun

A stringed instrument with a round, drum-like body and a long fretted neck, played by plucking or strumming.

"He picked up the banjo and started playing an old bluegrass tune."

"The banjo is closely associated with American folk and country music."

How to use banjo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA round-bodied, plucked string instrument common in folk, bluegrass, and country music.

Common pairings

play the banjo banjo picking a banjo tune

Word forms

banjoed past tense, banjos plural, banjoes plural, banjos singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He picked up the _____ and started playing an old bluegrass tune.

Etymology

Likely from a West African language, possibly related to Kimbundu mbanza or a similar term, carried into English through African-American speech in the American South.

Frequently asked questions

What does “banjo” mean?

The word “banjo” means a stringed instrument with a round, drum-like body and a long fretted neck, played by plucking or strumming. In plain terms, a round-bodied, plucked string instrument common in folk, bluegrass, and country music.

How do you pronounce “banjo”?

“Banjo” is pronounced BAN-joh (/ˈbæn.d͡ʒoʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “banjo” in a sentence?

Here is “banjo” used in a sentence: “He picked up the banjo and started playing an old bluegrass tune.”

What part of speech is “banjo”?

“Banjo” is a noun.

Is “banjo” a common word?

“Banjo” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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