guitar

noun

gui·​tar gə-ˈtär 

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

gə-ˈtär-ist 

gi-

noun

Illustration of guitar

• 1 electric
• 2 acoustic

Examples of guitar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The tune, penned by Zendaya and Labrinth, featured prominently in the final episode of the show’s second season as Fike’s character, Elliot, broke out the ol’ acoustic guitar and serenaded Zendaya’s character, Rue, as the pair made amends. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2024

During the University of Oklahoma’s men’s basketball game on Feb. 6, the university honored the late singer-songwriter by placing a guitar, a red Solo cup (in honor of Keith’s 2012 hit of the same name) and a University of Oklahoma ball cap on the seat where Keith would typically sit for games. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 26 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing guitar

• air guitar
• bottleneck guitar
• Hawaiian guitar
• lap steel guitar
• pedal steel guitar
• resonator guitar
• resophonic guitar
• steel guitar

Kids Definition

guitar

noun

gui·​tar gə-ˈtär 

: 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

-əst 

noun

Etymology

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