guitar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal; formal in technical music contexts.
Quick answer
What does “guitar” mean?
A fretted stringed musical instrument, typically with six strings, played by plucking or strumming.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fretted stringed musical instrument, typically with six strings, played by plucking or strumming.
Any instrument that serves as the primary melodic or harmonic accompaniment in a wide range of musical genres, from folk and classical to rock and jazz. It also metaphorically refers to someone or something that is a central, expressive element in a creative context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling is identical. Some UK brands/terms may be more common (e.g., 'guitarist' is universal).
Connotations
Both dialects share strong associations with popular music, but US usage has a stronger cultural link to genres like country and blues, while UK usage may more immediately evoke rock.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “guitar” in a Sentence
play + [the] + guitarstrum + a + guitartune + a + guitarbe + on + guitar (e.g., 'He's on guitar')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “guitar” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- "He guitared his way through the song," she said jokingly.
- The children were guitaring on tennis rackets.
American English
- "Stop guitaring around and help us!" (pun on 'guitar' and 'goof').
- He guitared a mean blues riff.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The guitarist had a very guitar-like tone even on the synthesiser.
- It was a proper guitar band, no keyboards.
American English
- His guitar skills were unmatched.
- She bought a new guitar amp.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contexts of manufacturing, retail (e.g., 'guitar sales'), and music industry marketing.
Academic
Used in musicology, ethnomusicology, and cultural studies papers.
Everyday
Common in discussions about hobbies, music, concerts, and learning an instrument.
Technical
Used in luthiery (guitar-making), sound engineering, and detailed music theory discussing techniques like tapping or alternate tunings.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “guitar”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “guitar”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “guitar”
- Incorrect article use (e.g., 'I play guitar' vs. 'I play the guitar' - both are acceptable but 'the' is more standard in British English for formal learning).
- Mispronunciation as /ˈɡɪtɑːr/ (hard 'g' as in 'gift') instead of the correct /ɡɪˈtɑːr/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A bass guitar typically has four thicker strings and plays notes in a lower register, providing the rhythmic and harmonic foundation. A standard guitar usually has six strings and covers mid to high ranges for melodies and chords.
Both are widely used and generally acceptable. 'Play the guitar' is slightly more formal and traditional, especially in British English. 'Play guitar' is common in American English, particularly when referring to the role in a band (e.g., 'He plays guitar in a band').
The primary difference is rhoticity. American English pronounces the 'r' at the end (/ɡɪˈtɑːr/), while in British Received Pronunciation, the final 'r' is not pronounced, lengthening the preceding vowel instead (/ɡɪˈtɑː/).
While 'guitar' is overwhelmingly a noun, its use as a verb (meaning 'to play the guitar') is very informal, humorous, or non-standard. It is not found in formal writing or speech. The standard verb is 'to play the guitar'.
A fretted stringed musical instrument, typically with six strings, played by plucking or strumming.
Guitar is usually neutral to informal; formal in technical music contexts. in register.
Guitar: in British English it is pronounced /ɡɪˈtɑː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡɪˈtɑːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “air guitar (pretending to play an imaginary guitar)”
- “axe (slang for electric guitar)”
- “guitar face (the expressive facial contortions made while playing intensively)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
GUITAR: Got Used In Tunes And Rock. It has strings and a familiar shape, so picture a musician 'tarring' a tune with their guitar.
Conceptual Metaphor
Guitar as a voice / expressive tool (e.g., 'His guitar wept during the solo').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a standard type of guitar?