dulcimer

noun

dul·​ci·​mer ˈdəl-sə-mər 

plural dulcimers

1

: a stringed instrument of trapezoidal shape played with light hammers held in the hands

Introduced by the gentle twanging of hammers on the strings of the dulcimer, Veris Dulcis In Tempore turned out to be a lovely duet in praise of the sweetness of love.

—William Littler

called also hammer dulcimer, hammered dulcimer

2

or less commonly dulcimore

ˈdəl-sə-ˌmȯr 

plural dulcimores : an American folk instrument with three or four strings stretched over a slender fretted sound box that is held on the lap and played by plucking or strumming

Fretted and usually three-stringed, the dulcimer is both a solo and an accompanying instrument.

—Lee Wilcox

… my in-laws, whose families were from the rural areas around Floyd County [Kentucky], were familiar with the "dulcimore" as a home-grown instrument likely to be played within families or in small gatherings.

—Ruby Layson

called also Appalachian dulcimer, lap dulcimer, mountain dulcimer

Examples of dulcimer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Traditionally played on string instruments like the dulcimer, fiddle, and banjo, this distinctly twangy genre passed down religious hymns, ballads, and folktales through generations. — Hillary Richard, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026

There is more to music than that which can be played on the hammered dulcimer. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026

Along the way, visitors can hike, camp, birdwatch, fish and attend events such as dulcimer performances and traditional craft demonstrations. — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 13 Jan. 2026

She was classically trained on the piano starting at age 4 and plays over 20 other instruments, including the mountain dulcimer, banjo, folk harp and balalaika, according to her bio. — Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dowcemere, from Middle French doulcemer, from Old Italian dolcimelo, from dolce sweet, from Latin dulcis

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dulcimer

• Appalachian dulcimer
• hammer dulcimer
• hammered dulcimer
• lap dulcimer

Kids Definition

dulcimer

noun

dul·​ci·​mer ˈdəl-sə-mər 

1

: a stringed instrument played with light hammers held in the hands

2

or dulcimore

-ˌmōr   

-ˌmȯr

: an American folk instrument with three or four strings held on the lap and played by plucking or strumming