castanets: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low frequencyFormal / Technical / Artistic
Quick answer
What does “castanets” mean?
A pair of small, hollowed, clapper-like musical instruments made of wood, ivory, or other hard material, held in the hand and clicked together to accompany dancing or music.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A pair of small, hollowed, clapper-like musical instruments made of wood, ivory, or other hard material, held in the hand and clicked together to accompany dancing or music.
Percussion instruments traditionally used in Spanish, Portuguese, and other folk music and dance; sometimes used to evoke a Spanish cultural atmosphere.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage or meaning.
Connotations
Strongly associated with Spanish flamenco and classical orchestral music in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, appearing in similar cultural or musical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “castanets” in a Sentence
play [castanets]accompanied by [castanets]dance to the [castanets][subject] clicked the castanetsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “castanets” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The dancer castanetted expertly to the guitar's rhythm.
American English
- She castanetted her fingers against the table in imitation.
adjective
British English
- The castanet rhythm was infectious.
American English
- A castanet-like sound came from the faulty machinery.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in musicology, ethnomusicology, and cultural studies texts discussing Spanish music.
Everyday
Used when discussing music, dance, or Spanish culture.
Technical
Used in music performance, composition, and instrument classification.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “castanets”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “castanets”
- Using singular 'castanet' (incorrect; almost always plural).
- Misspelling as 'castinets' or 'castanettes'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a plural noun. One instrument is a 'pair of castanets'. The singular 'castanet' is virtually never used.
Traditionally, they are made of hard wood (like chestnut, hence the name from Spanish 'castaña' meaning chestnut), but can also be made of fibreglass or other materials.
Yes, but a pair is designed for one in each hand. More complex rhythms are achieved using both.
Yes, they appear in some classical orchestral works (e.g., by Bizet or de Falla) and in folk traditions of other Mediterranean countries.
A pair of small, hollowed, clapper-like musical instruments made of wood, ivory, or other hard material, held in the hand and clicked together to accompany dancing or music.
Castanets is usually formal / technical / artistic in register.
Castanets: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkæs.təˈnets/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkæs.təˈnets/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine Spanish CASTles made of Netting where dancers click CASTANETS.
Conceptual Metaphor
RHYTHM IS AN ANIMAL'S CLICKING (e.g., 'The castanets chattered like teeth').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary cultural association of castanets?