theorbo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely LowSpecialist, Technical, Historical
Quick answer
What does “theorbo” mean?
A large, long-necked lute with an extra set of bass strings, used in Baroque music.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, long-necked lute with an extra set of bass strings, used in Baroque music.
Any related large, double-necked lute; a term also used metaphorically for anything unusually complex, layered, or with an extended range.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Pronunciation of the second syllable may vary slightly (/ˈɔː/ vs /ˈɔːr/).
Connotations
None beyond its technical/historical reference.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, confined to specialist contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “theorbo” in a Sentence
play the theorboaccompanied by a theorbothe theorbo is used fora theorbo with (e.g., gut strings)music for theorboVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in musicology, historical performance practice, and organology (study of instruments).
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Standard term in early music performance, instrument making, and historical treatises.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “theorbo”
- Pronouncing it as 'the-OR-bo' (stress is on 'or').
- Using it as a general term for any old string instrument.
- Spelling: 'therobo', 'theourbo'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A theorbo is a specific type of lute characterised by its extra long neck and a second pegbox for a set of unstopped bass strings, giving it a much wider range.
It was most prominent during the Baroque period, from the late 16th to the mid-18th century.
Yes, primarily in concerts and recordings of early music by specialist performers on historical instruments.
They are closely related. Generally, the theorbo has longer, unstopped bass strings and a more pronounced second pegbox, while the archlute's bass strings are often shorter and may be stopped. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but they denote subtle constructional differences.
A large, long-necked lute with an extra set of bass strings, used in Baroque music.
Theorbo is usually specialist, technical, historical in register.
Theorbo: in British English it is pronounced θɪˈɔːbəʊ, and in American English it is pronounced θiˈɔːrboʊ. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "THE OLD, HUGE, EXTENDED-RANGE BAROQUE instrument" – THE-OR-BO.
Conceptual Metaphor
A THEORBO is a COMPLEX, LAYERED SYSTEM (e.g., 'His argument was a theorbo of interconnected ideas').
Practice
Quiz
What is a theorbo?