guitar
gih-TAH
Guitar (noun) means a stringed musical instrument with a fretted neck and (usually) six strings, played by plucking or strumming. Example: “She learned to play guitar by watching videos online.”
noun
1
A stringed musical instrument with a fretted neck and (usually) six strings, played by plucking or strumming.
"Learning to strum the guitar rhythmically is essential."
"The band is looking for a new guitar player."
"She learned to play guitar by watching videos online."
"He tuned his guitar before the concert began."
"She was carrying her guitar in a fancily-decorated case."
"He strummed his guitar quietly while the kettle boiled."
How to use guitar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe six-stringed instrument played by strumming or plucking, common in almost every style of popular music.
Common pairings
play guitar
acoustic guitar
electric guitar
guitar string
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Word forms
- Plural
- guitars
- Third person singular
- guitars
- Past tense
- guitared
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She learned to play _____ by watching videos online.
Etymology
From Spanish guitarra, from Arabic qīṯāra, ultimately from Ancient Greek kithara; a doublet of "cithara" and "zither."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for guitar
See all rhymes for guitar →Frequently asked questions
What does “guitar” mean?
The word “guitar” means a stringed musical instrument with a fretted neck and (usually) six strings, played by plucking or strumming. In plain terms, the six-stringed instrument played by strumming or plucking, common in almost every style of popular music.
How do you pronounce “guitar”?
“Guitar” is pronounced gih-TAH (/ɡɪˈtɑɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “guitar” in a sentence?
Here is “guitar” used in a sentence: “She learned to play guitar by watching videos online.”
What is another word for “guitar”?
Words with a similar meaning to “guitar” include axe and gat.
What part of speech is “guitar”?
“Guitar” is a noun.
Where does the word “guitar” come from?
The word “guitar” comes from Ancient Greek. From Spanish guitarra, from Arabic qīṯāra, ultimately from Ancient Greek kithara; a doublet of "cithara" and "zither.".
Is “guitar” a common word?
“Guitar” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What are the main types of guitar?
The three most common are the classical guitar, with nylon strings and a wide neck; the steel-string acoustic, louder and brighter, favoured in folk and pop; and the electric guitar, which needs an amplifier and drives rock and blues. The bass guitar, with four thicker strings, supplies the low end in a band.
What is the difference between an acoustic and an electric guitar?
An acoustic guitar has a hollow body that projects sound naturally, so it can be played unplugged. An electric guitar has a solid or semi-hollow body and produces little sound on its own; it relies on pickups and an amplifier. Acoustics suit folk and singer-songwriter styles, while electrics dominate rock, blues, and jazz.
How many strings does a guitar have?
The standard guitar has six strings, tuned from low to high as E, A, D, G, B, E. Variations exist: a bass guitar usually has four strings, and a twelve-string pairs each string with a second for a fuller, chiming sound. Seven- and eight-string models appear in some metal and jazz styles.
Is the guitar hard to learn?
The guitar is one of the more approachable instruments to start: a beginner can strum simple chords and play recognisable songs within weeks. Building speed, clean fingering, and barre chords takes longer, and sore fingertips are normal at first. Regular short practice matters far more than natural talent, and many players are self-taught.
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