guitar

noun

gui·​tar gə-ˈtär How to pronounce guitar (audio)
gi-
especially Southern and Midland US also ˈgi-ˌtär
: a flat-bodied stringed instrument with a long fretted neck and usually six strings played with a pick or with the fingers
guitarist
gə-ˈtär-ist How to pronounce guitar (audio)
gi-
noun

Illustration of guitar

Illustration of guitar
  • 1 electric
  • 2 acoustic

Examples of guitar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dylan Young and his Melbourne group fill their third album with winsome and warm tracks whose best moments combine rambling guitars with tales of bruising regret. — Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026 Back in September, Muna announced that McPherson, who plays guitar, synths, and sings in the band, would need to miss several tour dates to look after their mother, Harriet, who was in the terminal stages of a cancer battle. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2026 There hasn't been any Prince guitar solo, Bob Ross-looking slackline guy, or Janet Jackson nipple to speak of. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 The original lineup consisted of Fred Schneider (vocals, percussion), Kate Pierson (vocals, keyboards, synthesizer bass), Cindy Wilson (vocals, percussion), Ricky Wilson (guitar, vocals) and Keith Strickland (drums, guitar, keyboards, vocals). — Paul Grein, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guitar

Word History

Etymology

French guitare, from Spanish guitarra, from Arabic qītār, from Greek kithara cithara

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of guitar was in 1668

Phrases Containing guitar

Rhymes for guitar

See All Rhymes for guitar

Browse Nearby Words

guisquil
guitar
guitar-fiddle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Guitar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guitar. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

guitar

noun
gui·​tar gə-ˈtär How to pronounce guitar (audio)
: a stringed instrument with a flat body, a long neck with frets, and usually six strings that are played with the fingers or with a pick
guitarist
-əst How to pronounce guitar (audio)
noun
Etymology

from French guitare "guitar," derived from Arabic qītār (same meaning)

More from Merriam-Webster on guitar

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about guitar

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