noun
mandolin
MAN-duh-lihn
Mandolin (noun) means a small stringed instrument with a rounded or flat back and paired strings, played with a pick. Example: “He strummed a lively tune on his mandolin at the bluegrass jam.”
noun
1
A small stringed instrument with a rounded or flat back and paired strings, played with a pick.
"He strummed a lively tune on his mandolin at the bluegrass jam."
2
A kitchen tool with an adjustable blade used to slice vegetables very thinly and evenly.
"She used a mandolin to cut paper-thin slices of potato for the gratin."
How to use mandolin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a small stringed musical instrument or a slicing tool used in the kitchen.
Common mistake
Kitchen mandolins are notorious for slicing fingers as well as vegetables — always use the hand guard.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like mandolin.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- mandolins
- Third person singular
- mandolins
- Past tense
- mandolined
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He strummed a lively tune on his _____ at the bluegrass jam.
Etymology
From French mandoline, from Italian mandolino, a diminutive of mandola, an older stringed instrument.
Rhymes for mandolin
See all rhymes for mandolin →Frequently asked questions
What does “mandolin” mean?
The word “mandolin” means a small stringed instrument with a rounded or flat back and paired strings, played with a pick. In plain terms, either a small stringed musical instrument or a slicing tool used in the kitchen.
How do you pronounce “mandolin”?
“Mandolin” is pronounced MAN-duh-lihn (/ˈmændə(ˌ)lɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “mandolin” in a sentence?
Here is “mandolin” used in a sentence: “He strummed a lively tune on his mandolin at the bluegrass jam.”
What part of speech is “mandolin”?
“Mandolin” is a noun.
Where does the word “mandolin” come from?
The word “mandolin” comes from French. From French mandoline, from Italian mandolino, a diminutive of mandola, an older stringed instrument.
How many meanings does “mandolin” have?
“Mandolin” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small stringed instrument with a rounded or flat back and paired strings, played with a pick.
