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

As a surprise to Johnson, Iris Smith of Cakes by Iris created a larger-than-life groom's cake — a full-scale replica of his beloved guitar, Maple, with every detail, including the signatures on the front. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 22 May 2025

Seated on a stool with an acoustic guitar and surrounded by a semi-circle of 11 ace musicians, Simon delivered ruminations, deliberations and hymns via soft, deceivingly casual phrasings. —Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025

Everything about the guitar is quality - really amazing components. —Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

This rare, hands-on recording museum highlights the sonic legacy of guitar god Les Paul. —Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025

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

Rhymes for guitar

• adar
• afar
• ajar
• alar
• ansar
• 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

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