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.

Other Word Forms

• guitar-like adjective
• guitarist 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

Compared to his flashy contemporaries, he is known for his more laid-back flow and style — which is reflected in his humble Airbnb in Los Angeles with his guitar close by.

From Los Angeles Times

Although Sting was the band's primary songwriter, the other members both made contributions to their albums - and Summers has often claimed that he originated the iconic guitar riff on Every Breath You Take.

From BBC

There’s a guitar that sounds and swings like an electric piano, there are horns when you’re not expecting them — it is a thoroughly Memphis arrangement that holds its own.

From Salon

The group’s self-titled debut album followed the next year, pairing stacked, anthemic guitar lines with intimate, distinctly British portraits of life.

From Los Angeles Times

So we barbecued some hot dogs and just hung out in one of the guys’ backyard with a couple of guitars on a picnic bench ... and we wrote “Lay Me Down.”

From Los Angeles Times