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noun

oboe

OH-boh
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Oboe (noun) means a slender wooden wind instrument with a double reed, played in orchestras and bands. Example: “The oboe played the opening melody of the symphony.”

noun
1
A slender wooden wind instrument with a double reed, played in orchestras and bands.
"The oboe played the opening melody of the symphony."

How to use oboe

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA woodwind instrument with a distinctive reedy, nasal tone.

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Word forms

Plural
oboes
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Can you complete this real example?

The _____ played the opening melody of the symphony.

Etymology

Adopted into English around 1770 from Italian oboe, itself a spelling of the French hautbois ("high wood") — from haut ("high, loud") + bois ("wood").

Origin: French · First attested 1770

Class of 1770 oboe joined the language around 1770.
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Related words

Rhymes for oboe

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Frequently asked questions

What does “oboe” mean?
The word “oboe” means a slender wooden wind instrument with a double reed, played in orchestras and bands. In plain terms, a woodwind instrument with a distinctive reedy, nasal tone.
How do you pronounce “oboe”?
“Oboe” is pronounced OH-boh (/ˈoʊboʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “oboe” in a sentence?
Here is “oboe” used in a sentence: “The oboe played the opening melody of the symphony.”
What part of speech is “oboe”?
“Oboe” is a noun.
Where does the word “oboe” come from?
The word “oboe” dates back to around 1770 and comes from French. Adopted into English around 1770 from Italian oboe, itself a spelling of the French hautbois ("high wood") — from haut ("high, loud") + bois ("wood").

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