guitar
gb/ɡɪtˈɑɹ/ us/ɡɪtˈɑɹ/
A1
English
~ 2500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
Stringed musical instrument
A musical instrument with strings that you play by using your fingers or a small stick called a pick.
Usage pattern:
to play [the] guitar
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit 'the' in 'play the guitar' in contexts where it is needed in English, e.g., saying 'I play guitar' vs. 'I play the guitar'. Both are correct in different contexts, but 'the' is common in British English.
Synonyms
six-string (Informal term referring specifically to a standard six-string guitar.)
|
axe (Slang term for a guitar, often used by musicians.)
Antonyms
drum (A percussion instrument with no strings, representing a different family of instruments.)
Collocations
play guitar
|electric guitar
|acoustic guitar
|guitar solo
|guitar player
Themes
music
|arts
|entertainment
|arts_entertainment
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She learned to play the guitar when she was twelve.
- The guitarist played a beautiful solo on his electric guitar.
- He bought an acoustic guitar for his music lessons.
- The band’s lead singer also plays rhythm guitar.
- My uncle collects vintage guitars from the 1960s.
Learner examples
- I have a new guitar.
- He can play the guitar well.
- She wants to buy a guitar.
- This guitar is very old.
- My brother plays the guitar every day.
Grammar
Dictionary form
guitar
IPA
GB/ɡɪtˈɑɹ/
US/ɡɪtˈɑɹ/
Syllables & stress
gui - tar (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tar)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: guitar
- Plural: guitars
Word family
Forms
guitars
noun
Core family
guitarist
noun B1
Expressions
electric guitar
1/ɪlˈɛktɹɪk ɡɪtˈɑɹ/
fixed phrase
Guitar with electronic amplification
A guitar that needs electricity to make its sound louder.
Examples
- He bought a new electric guitar for his rock band.
- The solo sounds amazing on an electric guitar.
guitar solo
1/ɡɪtˈɑɹ sˈoʊloʊ/
fixed phrase
Music section for guitar only
A part of a song where only the guitar plays a main tune.
Examples
- The guitarist played an amazing guitar solo.
- That song has a famous guitar solo in the middle.
play the guitar
1/plˈeɪ ðə ɡɪtˈɑɹ/
fixed phrase
Perform music on a guitar
To make music using a guitar.
Examples
- She can play the guitar very well.
- I learned to play the guitar from my father.
rhythm guitar
1/ɹˈɪðəm ɡɪtˈɑɹ/
fixed phrase
Guitar playing for chords and rhythm
Playing the guitar to make rhythm and chords instead of solos.
Examples
- He plays rhythm guitar in the band.
- Rhythm guitar keeps the beat steady.
acoustic guitar
1/əkˈustɪk ɡɪtˈɑɹ/
fixed phrase
non-electric guitar
A guitar that makes sound naturally through its body, not through electric power or speakers.
Examples
- She prefers playing an acoustic guitar for folk songs.
- She started learning on an acoustic guitar before buying an electric one.
- The acoustic guitar has a warm sound.
- The café only allows acoustic guitar and voice for live shows.