acoustic guitar
B2Everyday, Technical (music)
Definition
Meaning
A guitar that produces sound acoustically by transmitting the vibration of the strings to the air via a hollow body, rather than through electrical amplification.
This term can also refer to the style of music played primarily on such an instrument or the category of guitars distinct from electric guitars.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is a compound noun where 'acoustic' serves as an attributive adjective to classify the type of guitar. It is often contrasted with 'electric guitar'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling and usage are identical.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERB + acoustic guitar: play, strum, tune, own, buyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “acoustic set (performance using acoustic instruments)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In retail for musical instruments.
Academic
In studies of musicology or instrument design.
Everyday
Discussing hobbies, music preferences, or shopping for instruments.
Technical
In luthiery (guitar making), specifying instrument types and materials.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He's planning to acoustic-guitar his way through the setlist.
- They decided to acoustic-guitar the electronic track for a fresh feel.
American English
- The band will acoustic-guitar their hit single for the radio session.
- Let's acoustic-guitar this piece for the campfire.
adjective
British English
- It was a very acoustic-guitar vibe throughout the concert.
- He has an acoustic-guitar style of playing.
American English
- Her music has an acoustic-guitar feel to it.
- We're looking for an acoustic-guitar musician for the event.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I can play the acoustic guitar.
- He has a new acoustic guitar.
- She prefers the sound of an acoustic guitar to an electric one.
- He played a beautiful song on his acoustic guitar.
- The singer-songwriter accompanied herself on a vintage steel-string acoustic guitar.
- Many rock ballads start with a simple acoustic guitar riff.
- The luthier meticulously braced the soundboard of the acoustic guitar to achieve optimal resonance.
- His virtuosic fingerstyle technique transformed the acoustic guitar into a miniature orchestra.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'acoustic' as 'acoustics' (the science of sound) + 'guitar'. It's the guitar that makes its sound naturally, filling the room with its acoustics.
Conceptual Metaphor
A WOODEN VOICE (emphasising the natural, organic sound production).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calques like 'акустическая гитара' being misinterpreted as a speaker/guitar. The standard Russian term is 'акустическая гитара'.
- Do not confuse with 'классическая гитара' (classical/nylon-string guitar), which is a subtype.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'acoustical guitar' (non-standard). Correct: 'acoustic guitar'.
- Confusing 'acoustic guitar' with 'classical guitar'. All classical guitars are acoustic, but not all acoustic guitars are classical (some are steel-string folk/western guitars).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically a characteristic of a standard acoustic guitar?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Acoustic guitar' is the broad category for non-electric guitars. A 'classical guitar' is a specific type of acoustic guitar with nylon strings, a wider neck, and used primarily for classical music.
Typically, no. Its sound is produced acoustically. However, many modern acoustic guitars have built-in pickups ('electro-acoustic') for optional amplification in larger venues.
An acoustic guitar has a hollow body that projects sound naturally. An electric guitar has a solid or semi-hollow body and requires an external amplifier and speaker to be heard at normal performance volume.
It refers to sound that is produced and transmitted through natural, mechanical means (vibrating strings and a resonating body) without electronic enhancement for the fundamental tone.