guiro: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Specialized/Technical
Quick answer
What does “guiro” mean?
A percussion instrument consisting of a hollow gourd or similar object with parallel notches cut along one side, played by scraping a stick or tine along the notches.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A percussion instrument consisting of a hollow gourd or similar object with parallel notches cut along one side, played by scraping a stick or tine along the notches.
The sound produced by the guiro instrument, or by a similar scraping sound effect. Sometimes used informally to describe any rough, grating, or repetitive sound.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the same term for the instrument.
Connotations
Connotes Latin American music (e.g., salsa, son) in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both dialects, encountered almost exclusively in musical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “guiro” in a Sentence
play + the + guiroscrape + [determiner] + guiroVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “guiro” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- unspecified
American English
- unspecified
adverb
British English
- unspecified
American English
- unspecified
adjective
British English
- unspecified
American English
- unspecified
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in standard business contexts.
Academic
Used in ethnomusicology, musicology, and performance studies texts discussing Latin American or percussion instruments.
Everyday
Rare in everyday conversation unless discussing music. May be used metaphorically: 'The noise was like a guiro.'
Technical
Standard term in music scores, instrument catalogues, and among percussionists.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “guiro”
- Mispronunciation: /ˈɡaɪroʊ/ (like 'gyro' the food). Incorrect spelling: 'guiroo', 'geero'. Using as a verb without context: 'He guiroed the rhythm' is non-standard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, it is made from a hollowed gourd with notches. Modern versions can be made from wood, fibreglass, or plastic.
It is believed to have originated with the Taíno people of the Caribbean and is now common in Latin American music.
You hold the instrument in one hand and scrape a stick (called a pua or scraper) back and forth across its notched surface.
No, it is not a standard verb in English. It is only used as a noun to refer to the instrument or its sound.
A percussion instrument consisting of a hollow gourd or similar object with parallel notches cut along one side, played by scraping a stick or tine along the notches.
Guiro is usually specialized/technical in register.
Guiro: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡwɪərəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡwɪroʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “unspecified”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
GUIRO sounds like 'GEAR-O'. Imagine a musical gear you scrape to make a ratchety sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND IS TEXTURE (The guiro produces a 'rough', 'scraping' sound).
Practice
Quiz
A guiro is primarily classified as what type of musical instrument?