A1 noun Neutral

cello

/ˈtʃɛloʊ/

A large musical instrument with four strings that is played with a bow. The player sits down and holds the instrument between their knees while playing.

Examples

3 of 5
1

She practices the cello for two hours every day after school.

She practices the cello for two hours every day after school.

2

The guest soloist will perform a famous concerto on the cello tonight.

The guest soloist will perform a famous concerto on the cello tonight.

3

I'm thinking about taking up the cello because I love its deep sound.

I'm thinking about taking up the cello because I love its deep sound.

Word Family

Noun
cello
Adjective
cellistic
Related
cellist
💡

Memory Tip

Visualize the 'C' shape of the instrument's body and remember that you sit down to play it, just like you sit on a 'Chair' (both start with C).

Quick Quiz

The musician sat down on the chair and placed the ___ between his knees to start playing.

Correct!

The correct answer is: cello

Examples

1

She practices the cello for two hours every day after school.

everyday

She practices the cello for two hours every day after school.

2

The guest soloist will perform a famous concerto on the cello tonight.

formal

The guest soloist will perform a famous concerto on the cello tonight.

3

I'm thinking about taking up the cello because I love its deep sound.

informal

I'm thinking about taking up the cello because I love its deep sound.

4

Research indicates that the cello's frequency range is similar to the human voice.

academic

Research indicates that the cello's frequency range is similar to the human voice.

5

The foundation decided to sponsor the purchase of a professional-grade cello.

business

The foundation decided to sponsor the purchase of a professional-grade cello.

Word Family

Noun
cello
Adjective
cellistic
Related
cellist

Common Collocations

play the cello play the cello
cello solo cello solo
cello case cello case
cello strings cello strings
cello lesson cello lesson

Common Phrases

cello suite

cello suite

first cello

first cello

cello concerto

cello concerto

Often Confused With

cello vs violin

The violin is much smaller, held under the chin, and has a higher pitch than the cello.

cello vs viola

The viola is slightly larger than a violin but still held under the chin, unlike the floor-standing cello.

📝

Usage Notes

In English, we almost always use the definite article 'the' before the instrument name when talking about playing it (e.g., 'He plays the cello').

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Many learners mistakenly spell it 'chello' because of the 'ch' sound at the beginning. Remember it starts with a 'C'.

💡

Memory Tip

Visualize the 'C' shape of the instrument's body and remember that you sit down to play it, just like you sit on a 'Chair' (both start with C).

📖

Word Origin

An abbreviation of the Italian word 'violoncello', which means 'little violone' (a large stringed instrument).

Grammar Patterns

countable noun plural: cellos usually used with 'the' when playing
🌍

Cultural Context

The cello is a cornerstone of Western classical music and is often associated with deep, emotional melodies.

Quick Quiz

The musician sat down on the chair and placed the ___ between his knees to start playing.

Correct!

The correct answer is: cello

More music words

melody

A1

A melody is a sequence of musical notes that are pleasant to listen to and form a main tune. It is the part of a song that people usually hum or sing along with.

note

A1

In music, a note is a single sound with a specific pitch and length. It also refers to the written symbol on a page that tells a musician which sound to play.

scale

A1

A musical scale is a set of musical notes ordered by pitch, going up or down in a specific pattern. It acts like a ladder of sounds that musicians use to create melodies and harmonies.

sharp

A1

In music, a sharp is a symbol (#) that tells a player to play a note one half-step higher. It also refers to the specific note that has been raised.

flat

A1

In music, a flat is a symbol (♭) that tells a musician to play a note a half-step lower than usual. It also describes a sound or voice that is slightly lower than the correct musical pitch.

beat

A1

The regular pulse or rhythm in a piece of music that you can clap your hands or tap your feet to. It is the basic unit of time in a song that helps musicians stay together.

bar

A1

In music, a bar is a short section of music that contains a specific number of beats. It is shown on paper by vertical lines that divide the musical staff into equal parts.

time signature

A1

A time signature is a set of two numbers at the beginning of a piece of music. It tells the musician how many beats are in each measure and which note value represents one beat.

instrument

A1

An object that is played to make musical sounds, such as a piano, guitar, or drum. It can also be a tool used by scientists or doctors to do very exact work.

violin

A1

A musical instrument with four strings that is held under the chin and played with a bow. It is known for its high-pitched, expressive sound and is used in many types of music, especially classical and folk.

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