guitar
guitar
Pronunciation
guitar /ɡɪˈtɑːr/
First syllable: /ɡɪ/ (as in "gi" from "give")
Second syllable: /tɑːr/ (as in "tar" from "tart")
Word Form Variations
Singular: guitar
Plural: guitars
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A stringed musical instrument with a long fretted neck, typically six strings, and a flat-backed rounded body, played by plucking or strumming the strings.
Synonyms: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, classical guitar, ukulele (though distinct, often grouped generally as stringed instruments)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms as it's a specific object, but instruments from other families could be considered broad contrasts) piano, drums, trumpet
Verb
To play the guitar.
Synonyms: strum, pluck, shred (informal, often referring to fast, intricate playing), fingerpick
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes an action)
Examples of Use
Books:
"He spent his evenings in his small apartment, the only sound the mournful twang of his old guitar as he practiced blues riffs." (From a fictional novel, exact title not available without a specific search)
"The history of rock and roll is inextricably linked with the evolution of the electric guitar, from its early forms to the iconic instruments played by legends." (From a non-fiction book on music history, specific title not available)
Newspapers:
"Local musician to host free outdoor concert featuring classical guitar performances this Saturday in Central Park." (The New York Times, 2024)
"Police are investigating the theft of several valuable vintage guitars from a music shop downtown." (The Guardian, 2025)
Online Publications:
"Fender releases new line of American Ultra guitars, boasting enhanced playability and versatile tones." (Premier Guitar online magazine, 2025)
"Learning to play the guitar can be a rewarding experience, but choosing the right starter instrument is crucial." (A blog post on a music education website, undated)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Music: "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" – a famous song by The Beatles (from the album The White Album, 1968). The word "guitar" is central to the song's title and theme.
Film: In the movie School of Rock (2003), Jack Black's character, Dewey Finn, teaches children to play various instruments, with the guitar being a prominent one for many of the young protagonists.
Video Games: Many music rhythm games, such as Guitar Hero, revolve around simulating playing a guitar, with players pressing buttons in time to music.
Television Show (reality/talent): A contestant on America's Got Talent might impress judges with a unique acoustic guitar performance. (Example from a hypothetical episode)
YouTube Tutorial: "How to change strings on an acoustic guitar – Beginner's Guide." (A common search term on YouTube, leading to countless instructional videos)
General Public Discourse:
"I'm thinking of buying a new guitar next month, maybe an electric one this time." (Spoken conversation between friends)
"Does anyone here know how to play the guitar? We need someone for our campfire singalong." (A question posed in a social gathering)
"My dream is to one day play lead guitar in a famous rock band." (A common aspiration expressed by aspiring musicians)
10 Famous Quotes Using Guitar
"This machine kills fascists." (Woody Guthrie, famously inscribed on his guitar)
"The most important thing for me is the freedom to play my guitar and be myself." (Eric Clapton)
"I just want to play my guitar, chug on a beer and be a rock star." (Zakk Wylde)
"A guitar is a good thing to actually have in your hands and feel it and get the vibrations and feel the weight of it." (Jeff Beck)
"My guitar is not a thing. It is an extension of myself. It is who I am." (B.B. King)
"You don't play a guitar with your fingers, you play it with your heart." (Carlos Santana)
"I was attracted to the guitar because it's a small orchestra in itself. It's a whole world." (Joni Mitchell)
"My guitar is an extension of my soul. I can express so much through it." (Lenny Kravitz)
"The guitar is a miniature orchestra in your hands, if you know how to use it." (Robert Fripp)
"There are only two kinds of people in the world: those who love the guitar, and those who haven't heard it played well yet." (Unknown, a popular saying among guitar enthusiasts)
Etymology
The word "guitar" has a long and interesting family tree! It generally comes from the Spanish word "guitarra," which started being used in the 14th century to describe stringed instruments.
But "guitarra" itself has older roots. It's believed to have come from the Arabic word "qīṯāra," which in turn came from the Ancient Greek word "kithara." The "kithara" was a type of lyre – an ancient stringed instrument, often depicted as having a triangular shape and several strings, used by the ancient Greeks.
So, the very first known meaning of a word related to "guitar" was for a "kithara," a stringed instrument used in ancient Greece. Over time, as different stringed instruments evolved and spread across cultures (especially in Spain with instruments like the vihuela), the name also changed and adapted, eventually leading to the "guitar" we know today. It's a journey of a word across languages and centuries, reflecting the evolution of a beloved musical instrument!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Guitar
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "guitar," or related musical concepts when direct "guitar" idioms are scarce:
"Air guitar" - To mimic playing a guitar, especially to rock music.
"Play second guitar" - To play a less prominent or supportive role (often "play second fiddle" is more common, but this is a direct adaptation).
"Strum a few chords" - To play the guitar casually or simply.
"Shred on the guitar" - To play the guitar with great speed and skill, especially in rock or metal music.
"Guitar hero" - A highly skilled and admired guitar player (also references the video game).
"Put down the guitar" - To stop playing or quit music, often used metaphorically for giving up on an endeavor.
"Plug in the guitar" - To get ready to play an electric guitar, often signifying preparation for an energetic performance.
"One-man guitar band" - Someone who can create a full, rich sound on the guitar as if they were an entire band.
"To have a good ear for guitar" - To have a natural ability to understand and play guitar music by listening.
"Sing to the tune of a different guitar" - To have a different opinion or approach than others (a variation of "sing to the tune of a different drum").
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of guitar from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
