musician
myoo-ZIH-shuhn
Musician (noun) means a person who plays a musical instrument or composes music, whether as a job or a hobby. Example: “My sister is a talented musician who plays the violin in an orchestra.”
noun
1
A person who plays a musical instrument or composes music, whether as a job or a hobby.
"Mr. Smith, a flesh-and-blood musician, produced A.I.-generated music and played it billions of times using bots he had programmed, according to the indictment."
— Maia Coleman, The Bands and the Fans Were Fake. The $10 Million Was Real (2024)
"My sister is a talented musician who plays the violin in an orchestra."
"Every Friday, a local musician performs quietly in the corner of the cafe."
"He joined Little Jewford and other musicians — all with outlandish stage names, like Wichita Culpepper and Sky Cap Adams — to form Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys in 1973."
— Clay Risen, Kinky Friedman, 79, Dies; Musician and Humorist Slew Sacred Cows (2024)
"Jenny is a talented musician, playing the cello, saxophone, piano and guitar."
"His father was a jazz musician who toured Europe in the 1970s."
How to use musician
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who plays, sings, or composes music.
Common pairings
a session musician
professional musician
street musician
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Word forms
- Plural
- musicians
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My sister is a talented _____ who plays the violin in an orchestra.
Etymology
From Old French musicien, built from music plus the agent suffix -ian.
Related words
Rhymes for musician
See all rhymes for musician →Frequently asked questions
What does “musician” mean?
The word “musician” means a person who plays a musical instrument or composes music, whether as a job or a hobby. In plain terms, someone who plays, sings, or composes music.
How do you pronounce “musician”?
“Musician” is pronounced myoo-ZIH-shuhn (/mjuˈzɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “musician” in a sentence?
Here is “musician” used in a sentence: “His father was a jazz musician who toured Europe in the 1970s.”
What part of speech is “musician”?
“Musician” is a noun.
Where does the word “musician” come from?
The word “musician” comes from Old French. From Old French musicien, built from music plus the agent suffix -ian.
Is “musician” a common word?
“Musician” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between a musician and an artist?
A musician is anyone who plays an instrument or composes music, professionally or as a hobby. In the music industry, artist usually means a performer who records or releases music under their own name or act. Session players are musicians but not artists in that industry sense, while every recording artist in music is also a musician.
Is a singer a musician?
Most people say yes, treating the voice as a musical instrument, and professional vocalists are routinely described as musicians. Stricter definitions centre on playing an instrument or composing, which is why the phrase "singers and musicians" also survives. In practice, calling a singer a musician is normal and widely accepted.
What is the difference between a musician and a composer?
A composer writes music, while musician is the broader word covering anyone who plays an instrument or composes. Every composer is therefore a musician, but a performer who only plays other people's works is a musician without being a composer.
Can an amateur be called a musician?
Yes. A musician is a person who plays a musical instrument or composes music whether as a job or a hobby, so amateurs qualify. Professional musician is the specific term for someone who earns a living from music.
