a stringed instrument usually having six strings; played by strumming or plucking
"After years of practice, she finally mastered playing that complex melody on her guitar."
A stringed musical instrument, of European origin, usually with a fretted fingerboard and six strings, played with the fingers or a plectrum (guitar pick).
"She strummed her guitar softly while singing an old folk song by the campfire."
In plain English: A guitar is a musical instrument with strings that you pluck or strum to make music.
"He picked up his guitar to play a few songs for the party."
Usage: Use guitar to refer specifically to the standard six-stringed instrument played with fingers or a pick, rather than other similar stringed instruments like harps or lutes. Do not use it as a verb unless you are explicitly describing the act of playing this specific instrument.
To play the guitar.
"She decided to play her favorite song on the acoustic guitar during the party."
In plain English: To play guitar is to strum or pluck the strings of a guitar to make music.
"He decided to just relax and guitar with his friends after work."
Usage: Guitar" is not used as a verb in standard English; instead, you must say "play the guitar." Using it as a verb to mean playing the instrument is considered incorrect and should be avoided."
The word guitar entered English from the Spanish guitarra, which was borrowed from the Arabic qīṯāra. This term ultimately traces its roots back to the Ancient Greek kĭthắrā.