guitar

noun

gui·​tar gə-ˈtär How to pronounce guitar (audio)
gi-,
 especially Southern and Midland US also  ˈgi-ˌtär
: a flat-bodied stringed instrument with a long fretted neck and usually six strings played with a pick or with the fingers
guitarist noun

Illustration of guitar

Illustration of guitar
  • 1 electric
  • 2 acoustic

Examples of guitar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Reznor took this ambition further still: Individual songs are punctuated by hard-tack changes of direction—from fast, thrashing guitars and punishing drum beats, to moments of slow-burning ambient and piano interludes—becoming the sound of a mind at war with itself. Adam Steiner, SPIN, 8 Mar. 2024 Following them was The Maine, which stunned with lights, guitar solos, and involved crowd work. Candi Bolden, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2024 There are guitar riffs, some strings, and beautiful harmonies. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024 According to fan footage, Musgraves, 35, hit the stage in a white blouse and sheer black skirt, while Bryan sported denim and played acoustic guitar — and the crowd sang every word. Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 Art Garfunkel, Simon & Garfunkel Sidekick to: Paul Simon Granted, Paul Simon wrote the majority of the songs, played lead guitar, and received all the accolades, but his childhood friend Art Garfunkel provided the duo's soul by groovin' on the tambourine (and sporting a truly spectacular hairdo). Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 In particular, the guitar work of Roger Steen was absolutely phenomenal. Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 Granny played piano and my uncle Brit plays guitar. Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2024 Later, the football star caught one of his girlfriend’s shows at Accor Stadium, where he was spotted dancing along next to Katy Perry and Rita Ora and handing out guitar picks to fans. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'guitar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French guitare, from Spanish guitarra, from Arabic qītār, from Greek kithara cithara

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of guitar was in 1668

Dictionary Entries Near guitar

Cite this Entry

“Guitar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guitar. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

guitar

noun
gui·​tar gə-ˈtär How to pronounce guitar (audio)
: a stringed instrument with a flat body, a long neck with frets, and usually six strings that are played with the fingers or with a pick
guitarist noun
Etymology

from French guitare "guitar," derived from Arabic qītār (same meaning)

More from Merriam-Webster on guitar

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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