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

Join the event for an inspiring holiday tradition—timeless classics and seasonal gems, beautifully reimagined for guitar orchestra. —Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2025

Keeping time on the group’s moody ballads, Stewart is a steadying force, capably anchoring the sound led by Barry’s laconic vocals and drum teacher Bova’s spiky guitar leads. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 1 Dec. 2025

Gamboni had turned toward the obscure, scraping bows across guitar strings, recording snowmelt, making art films in derelict buildings. —Simon Akam, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025

Aykroyd is on guitar, with Curtis playing a tambourine as Culkin took on the drums and Griffine Dunne played the keyboard. —Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 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)