noun
Uncommon
harp
hahp
Harp (noun) means a large stringed musical instrument played by plucking strings stretched across an open frame. Example: “She plucked a gentle melody on the harp.”
noun
1
A large stringed musical instrument played by plucking strings stretched across an open frame.
"She plucked a gentle melody on the harp."
"An orchestra usually has one or two harps."
verb
1
To keep talking about the same thing, especially in an annoying or nagging way (usually "harp on").
"He's always harping on about how things used to be cheaper."
"Stop harping on my mistake — I already apologized."
How to use harp
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe stringed instrument, or (as a verb) to keep going on about the same complaint.
Common mistake
"Harp on" always needs a topic — you harp on something, not just harp.
Common pairings
harp on about
play the harp
pluck a harp
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- harps
- Past tense
- harped
Fill the gap
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She plucked a gentle melody on the _____.
Etymology
From Old English hearpe, going back to a shared Germanic root — the same word appears as Harfe in German and harpa in Swedish.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for harp
See all rhymes for harp →Frequently asked questions
What does “harp” mean?
The word “harp” means a large stringed musical instrument played by plucking strings stretched across an open frame. In plain terms, the stringed instrument, or (as a verb) to keep going on about the same complaint.
How do you pronounce “harp”?
“Harp” is pronounced hahp (/hɑɹp/ in IPA).
How do you use “harp” in a sentence?
Here is “harp” used in a sentence: “She plucked a gentle melody on the harp.”
What is another word for “harp”?
Words with a similar meaning to “harp” include keep on about and perseverate.
What part of speech is “harp”?
Depending on how it is used, “harp” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “harp” come from?
The word “harp” comes from Old English. From Old English hearpe, going back to a shared Germanic root — the same word appears as Harfe in German and harpa in Swedish.
Is “harp” a common word?
“Harp” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “harp” have?
“Harp” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large stringed musical instrument played by plucking strings stretched across an open frame.
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