guitar

[ gi-tahr ]

noun

1. a stringed musical instrument with a long, fretted neck, a flat, somewhat violinlike body, and typically six strings, which are plucked with the fingers or with a plectrum.

guitar

/ ɡɪˈtɑː /

noun

1. music a plucked stringed instrument originating in Spain, usually having six strings, a flat sounding board with a circular sound hole in the centre, a flat back, and a fretted fingerboard. Range: more than three octaves upwards from E on the first leger line below the bass staff See also electric guitar bass guitar Hawaiian guitar

guitar

1. A stringed musical instrument ( see strings ) usually played by strumming or plucking. Guitars are widely used in folk music and, often amplified electronically, in country and western music and rock 'n' roll .

Derived Forms

• guiˈtar-ˌlike, adjective
• guiˈtarist, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of guitar¹

1615–25; < Spanish guitarra < Arabic kītārah ≪ Greek kithára kithara

Word History and Origins

Origin of guitar¹

C17: from Spanish guitarra, from Arabic qītār, from Greek kithara cithara

Example Sentences

While there remains precious few Black rock and metal bands, Ice-T says the initial goal with Body Count was “to find an audience to play for so Ernie could play his guitar.”

From Los Angeles Times

I play guitar sometimes, and if I’m in the mood, I’ll grab my guitar and play.

From Los Angeles Times

Harvey started learning how to play the guitar when he was younger, but it was the year before he died that he really began to love it.

From BBC

The musician best known for playing the guitar riff in the James Bond theme tune has died.

From BBC

But the jolly tone gives way to something fiercer and more appropriately epic: a galloping rhythm on the drums, insistent bass and scorching guitar notes.

From New York Times