noun
tambourine
tam-buh-REEN
Tambourine (noun) means a small percussion instrument made of a round frame with jingling metal discs set into its rim, played by shaking or striking it. Example: “She shook the tambourine in time with the chorus.”
noun
1
A small percussion instrument made of a round frame with jingling metal discs set into its rim, played by shaking or striking it.
"She shook the tambourine in time with the chorus."
"The busker kept rhythm with a battered old tambourine."
verb
1
To play a tambourine, or to make a jingling sound like one.
"He tambourined along as the band played."
How to use tambourine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hand-held drum ringed with metal discs that jingle when shaken or tapped.
Common pairings
shake a tambourine
play the tambourine
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Word forms
- Plural
- tambourines
- Third person singular
- tambourines
- Past tense
- tambourined
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She shook the _____ in time with the chorus.
Etymology
From French tambourin ("little drum"), from tambour ("drum"), which traces back to Arabic and Persian words for a drum.
Rhymes for tambourine
See all rhymes for tambourine →Frequently asked questions
What does “tambourine” mean?
The word “tambourine” means a small percussion instrument made of a round frame with jingling metal discs set into its rim, played by shaking or striking it. In plain terms, a hand-held drum ringed with metal discs that jingle when shaken or tapped.
How do you pronounce “tambourine”?
“Tambourine” is pronounced tam-buh-REEN (/ˌtæm.bəˈɹiːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “tambourine” in a sentence?
Here is “tambourine” used in a sentence: “She shook the tambourine in time with the chorus.”
What part of speech is “tambourine”?
Depending on how it is used, “tambourine” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “tambourine” come from?
The word “tambourine” comes from French. From French tambourin ("little drum"), from tambour ("drum"), which traces back to Arabic and Persian words for a drum.
How many meanings does “tambourine” have?
“Tambourine” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small percussion instrument made of a round frame with jingling metal discs set into its rim, played by shaking or striking it.
