guitar

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

guitarist

2 of 2

noun (2)

gui·​tar·​ist -tärə̇st 

-tȧr-

plural -s

: one who performs on the guitar

Examples of guitar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Willett had started writing it, but Dann Gallucci, Russell’s replacement on guitar and the album’s co-producer, didn’t like it, and the record was completed without it. — Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026

The song opens with a gentle, traditional guitar, setting an intimate atmosphere that draws the listener in. — Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2026

Battle with swords, pistols, anchors, or guitars, tow your haul between islands, and craft tools on the fly. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026

The album will also highlight the singer-songwriter’s guitar prowess on the bass, in addition to their signature six-string. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1668, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing guitar

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

Rhymes for guitar

• adar
• afar
• ajar
• alar
• alvar
• bazaar
• bizarre
• boxcar
• boyar
• bulbar
• cachar
• cigar

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

Noun

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