musical glasses: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-frequency (C1/C2 vocabulary)Specialist, historical, formal/descriptive
Quick answer
What does “musical glasses” mean?
A set of glasses, often filled with varying amounts of water to produce different pitches, which are played by rubbing a moistened finger around their rims.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A set of glasses, often filled with varying amounts of water to produce different pitches, which are played by rubbing a moistened finger around their rims.
Historically, an 18th-century musical instrument and form of entertainment. Can refer to any performance or composition specifically written for or played on tuned glasses.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally rare and historical in both varieties.
Connotations
Evokes a historical, quaint, or niche musical tradition.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Appears in historical, musical, or encyclopaedic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “musical glasses” in a Sentence
to play (on) [the] musical glassesto tune [the] musical glassesto perform a piece [for/on] musical glassesVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical musicology, papers on 18th-century performance practice, or instrument history.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Used in specialist discussions of historical instruments, organology, or early music performance.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “musical glasses”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “musical glasses”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “musical glasses”
- Using 'musical glass' in singular for the instrument (usually plural).
- Confusing it with 'glass harmonica', which uses rotating bowls on a spindle.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are related but distinct. Musical glasses are individual cups or goblets played in a set. The glass harmonica, invented by Benjamin Franklin, uses rotating glass bowls on a spindle, played by touching the fingers to the rotating edges.
Yes, though it is very rare. It is primarily performed by specialists in historical music or as a novelty act due to its unique and delicate sound.
Popular in the 18th century, composers like Mozart and Gluck wrote pieces for the instrument. The repertoire consists mainly of short, atmospheric pieces, variations, and accompaniments.
The compound noun 'musical glasses' specifies their function as an instrument, distinguishing them from ordinary drinking vessels. The 'musical' prefix is essential to indicate the purpose.
A set of glasses, often filled with varying amounts of water to produce different pitches, which are played by rubbing a moistened finger around their rims.
Musical glasses is usually specialist, historical, formal/descriptive in register.
Musical glasses: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmjuː.zɪ.kəl ˈɡlɑːs.ɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmjuː.zɪ.kəl ˈɡlæs.ɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No established idioms. Term is literal.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine Mozart composing a piece for MUSICAL GLASSES – it's an unusual 'instrument' where the glasses make music.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable for this literal, technical term.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary method of sound production in musical glasses?