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noun

clarinet

kla-rih-NEHT
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Clarinet (noun) means a single-reed woodwind instrument with a smooth, rich tone that varies across its low, middle, and high registers. Example: “She has played the clarinet since she was eight.”

noun
1
A single-reed woodwind instrument with a smooth, rich tone that varies across its low, middle, and high registers.
"She has played the clarinet since she was eight."
"The clarinet solo stole the whole performance."

How to use clarinet

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA woodwind instrument played with a single reed, common in orchestras, jazz bands, and school music programmes.

Common pairings
play the clarinet a clarinet solo clarinet section
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Word forms

Plural
clarinets
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She has played the _____ since she was eight.

Etymology

From Italian clarinetto, a diminutive of clarino ("trumpet"), because early clarinets had a bright, trumpet-like tone.

Origin: Italian

Rhymes for clarinet

See all rhymes for clarinet →

Frequently asked questions

What does “clarinet” mean?
The word “clarinet” means a single-reed woodwind instrument with a smooth, rich tone that varies across its low, middle, and high registers. In plain terms, a woodwind instrument played with a single reed, common in orchestras, jazz bands, and school music programmes.
How do you pronounce “clarinet”?
“Clarinet” is pronounced kla-rih-NEHT (/ˌklæɹɪˈnɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “clarinet” in a sentence?
Here is “clarinet” used in a sentence: “She has played the clarinet since she was eight.”
What part of speech is “clarinet”?
“Clarinet” is a noun.
Where does the word “clarinet” come from?
The word “clarinet” comes from Italian. From Italian clarinetto, a diminutive of clarino ("trumpet"), because early clarinets had a bright, trumpet-like tone.

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