noun

clarinet

kla-rih-NEHT

noun

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

clarinets plural

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She has played the _____ since she was eight.

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

cabinet