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

Batten is renowned for her guitar work, having toured the world as part of Michael Jackson’s solo tours for 10 years and with Jeff Beck for three years. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2024

God Save the Animals contains guitar solos, gothic keyboard riffs, spare and off-key acoustic guitar, warbles, countrified fiddle, at least one very thoughtful love song, and (don’t worry) enough moments that sound like Built to Spill. —Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024

After all, his father is a professor of electronic music who played guitar in a group. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2024

At least a dozen more guitars are hidden away in closets in the back of the room. —Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 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)