cymbal
C1Technical/Musical, but understood in general contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A percussion instrument consisting of a round, slightly concave metal plate that is struck or clashed against another to produce a ringing, shimmering sound.
In a broader sense, can refer to any similar metallic disc that produces a ringing sound when struck, or metaphorically to a loud, clashing, or resonant sound.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a singular noun, but often used in the plural 'cymbals' to refer to the pair or set. The sound is typically described as 'crash', 'clash', 'ring', or 'sizzle'. Not to be confused with 'symbol' (a sign or representation).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical connotations related to percussion music, orchestras, and drum kits.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general language but standard in musical contexts in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[drummer/musician] + [strikes/crashes/clashes] + [the/a] + cymbal[sound] + [of] + cymbals[pair/set] + [of] + cymbalsVocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “clash like cymbals”
- “a cymbal's crash”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in the business of manufacturing or selling musical instruments.
Academic
Used in musicology, ethnomusicology, and studies of orchestration or percussion.
Everyday
Understood when discussing music, bands, or orchestras.
Technical
Standard term in music notation, instrument catalogs, and sound engineering for percussion.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The percussionist will cymbal the final chord for dramatic effect.
- He cymbaled enthusiastically throughout the solo.
American English
- The drummer cymbaled the crash on beat four.
- She cymbals the accents in that funk groove.
adjective
British English
- The cymbal sound was too harsh for the piece.
- He preferred a cymbal-like resonance from the gong.
American English
- The cymbal manufacturer is based in Pennsylvania.
- That's a very cymbal-heavy mix on the recording.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The drummer hit the cymbal.
- I hear a cymbal in the song.
- The loud crash of the cymbal surprised the audience.
- A good drum kit has several different cymbals.
- The percussionist deftly switched from the triangle to the suspended cymbal.
- The composer specified a sizzle cymbal for the jazz interlude.
- The timpani roll culminated in a thunderous clash of the cymbals.
- His technique involved brushing the ride cymbal to create a shimmering texture.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CYMBAL as a SIMple metal BALl (without the 'l' in ball) that you crash. Or remember: 'The symbol for loud noise in the band is the CYMBAL'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CYMBAL IS A VOICE OF IMPACT (e.g., 'the cymbal announced the climax of the piece').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'символ' (symbol). The Russian word is 'тарелки' (plates).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'symbol'.
- Using 'a cymbals' (should be 'a cymbal' or 'cymbals').
- Pronouncing the 'c' as /k/.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common error associated with the word 'cymbal'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be singular ('a cymbal') or plural ('the cymbals'). Often, a pair is referred to as 'cymbals'.
A crash cymbal is typically thinner and used for accenting with a sharp, explosive sound. A ride cymbal is thicker, with a more defined, sustained ping, used for keeping a steady rhythmic pattern.
It is pronounced /ˈsɪm.bəl/, with a soft 'c' like an 's', identical to the first syllable of 'symbol'.
Yes, though it's rare and informal. It means to play or strike a cymbal (e.g., 'The drummer cymbaled the final beat').