Illustration of guitar
- 1 electric
- 2 acoustic
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
noun gi-
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Its deep and honest lyrics are carried by the strings of an electric guitar where Camilo and Sanz meet vocally to sing in a subtle way to jealousy. 
Billboard Staff, Billboard, 6 Sep. 2022 Backed only by an acoustic guitar, Lavigne gamely embraced the challenge and breezed through the 2002 classic with plenty of ease. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2022 Finneas accompanied the musician on an acoustic guitar. Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 31 July 2022 Finneas, the singer’s brother, producing partner and tourmate, joined her onstage with an acoustic guitar and supporting vocals. Ej Panaligan, Variety, 29 July 2022 For years at parties, Naderi would pick up an acoustic guitar and strum a tune or two. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 21 July 2022 Dean stood behind a bank of keyboards, presenting chill instrumentals with flecks of electric guitar for his 30-minute set as the crowd filtered in. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 15 July 2022 Shelton posted a casual video of him singing the song and playing an acoustic guitar to remind fans of this heartbreaking ballad from his early days on the country music scene. Maggie Horton, Country Living, 8 July 2022 The music features lead vocals and a wash of guitar from Gannon, harmony vocals and synthesizer from Fredock and propulsive bass and tom-tom-heavy drums from Geller and Fusco. Bo Emerson, ajc, 1 July 2022 See More
Billboard Staff, Billboard, 6 Sep. 2022 Backed only by an acoustic guitar, Lavigne gamely embraced the challenge and breezed through the 2002 classic with plenty of ease. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2022 Finneas accompanied the musician on an acoustic guitar. Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 31 July 2022 Finneas, the singer’s brother, producing partner and tourmate, joined her onstage with an acoustic guitar and supporting vocals. Ej Panaligan, Variety, 29 July 2022 For years at parties, Naderi would pick up an acoustic guitar and strum a tune or two. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 21 July 2022 Dean stood behind a bank of keyboards, presenting chill instrumentals with flecks of electric guitar for his 30-minute set as the crowd filtered in. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 15 July 2022 Shelton posted a casual video of him singing the song and playing an acoustic guitar to remind fans of this heartbreaking ballad from his early days on the country music scene. Maggie Horton, Country Living, 8 July 2022 The music features lead vocals and a wash of guitar from Gannon, harmony vocals and synthesizer from Fredock and propulsive bass and tom-tom-heavy drums from Geller and Fusco. Bo Emerson, ajc, 1 July 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
guitar
noun
gui·tar gə-ˈtär
: a musical instrument with six strings played by plucking or strumming
guitarist
noun
as in drummer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- drummer
- keyboardist
- pianist
- violinist
- saxophonist
- percussionist
- trombonist
- flutist
- accordionist
- harpist
- organist
- flautist
- violist
- clarinetist
- bassoonist
- trumpeter
- soloist
- fiddler
- oboist
- hornist
- clarinettist
- cornetist
- virtuoso
- reedman
- piper
- artist
- accompanist
- picker
- symphonist
- maestro
- cornettist
- recitalist
- performer
- musician
- organ-grinder
- instrumentalist
- minstrel
- player