didgeridoo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal
Quick answer
What does “didgeridoo” mean?
A long wooden wind instrument, traditionally made and played by Aboriginal peoples of northern Australia, producing a low, resonant drone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A long wooden wind instrument, traditionally made and played by Aboriginal peoples of northern Australia, producing a low, resonant drone.
A cultural symbol of Indigenous Australia; any instrument or sound that imitates its distinctive drone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The word is equally recognized as referring to the Australian instrument.
Connotations
Connotes Australian culture, travel, world music, and sometimes a 'hippie' or alternative lifestyle association.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, used primarily in specific cultural, musical, or travel contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “didgeridoo” in a Sentence
play [the] didgeridoohear a didgeridoothe didgeridoo [of someone]a didgeridoo made [from...]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “didgeridoo” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He tried to didgeridoo for a bit, but couldn't get the circular breathing right.
- The busker was didgeridooing on the high street.
American English
- He attempted to didgeridoo at the campfire, with mixed results.
- You could hear someone didgeridooing in the park.
adjective
British English
- The festival had a distinct didgeridoo vibe.
- He's known for his didgeridoo skills.
American English
- The band incorporated a cool didgeridoo sound.
- She took a didgeridoo workshop.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in tourism, cultural export, or music retail contexts.
Academic
Used in ethnomusicology, anthropology, and studies of Indigenous Australian culture.
Everyday
Used when discussing Australia, world music, or unusual instruments.
Technical
Specific to organology (study of musical instruments) and ethnomusicology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “didgeridoo”
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “didgeridoo”
- Misspelling: 'didgerido', 'digerydoo', 'didjeridoo'.
- Incorrect article: 'play didgeridoo' instead of 'play the didgeridoo'.
- Confusing it with a drum or string instrument.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is an onomatopoeic loanword from one of the Aboriginal languages of northern Australia, likely from the Yolngu word 'yidaki' or a similar term.
In traditional Aboriginal law from some regions, playing the didgeridoo was restricted to men. However, in contemporary non-Indigenous and some Indigenous contexts, this view varies. It is a sensitive cultural issue.
Circular breathing, where the player breathes in through the nose while simultaneously pushing air out of the mouth using stored air in the cheeks, allowing for a continuous drone.
Traditionally, they are made from branches or tree trunks (especially eucalyptus) that have been hollowed out naturally by termites. Modern versions can be made from various materials like PVC pipe or agave.
A long wooden wind instrument, traditionally made and played by Aboriginal peoples of northern Australia, producing a low, resonant drone.
Didgeridoo is usually informal in register.
Didgeridoo: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪdʒ.ər.ɪˈduː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪdʒ.ɚ.ɪˈduː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DID GERI DOO? Did Geri play that long Australian DOO-dle (drone) instrument?
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND IS A PHYSICAL SUBSTANCE (The didgeridoo's sound is described as thick, deep, vibrating).
Practice
Quiz
The didgeridoo is most closely associated with which culture?