instrument
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.
Examples
3 of 5I want to learn how to play a musical instrument like the violin.
I want to learn how to play a musical tool like the violin.
The surgeon requested a specific surgical instrument for the operation.
The doctor asked for a specific medical tool for the surgery.
Cool instrument! Is that a bass guitar?
Nice musical tool! Is that a bass guitar?
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Instructions' for an 'Instrument'—complex tools and musical devices usually come with a book of instructions.
Quick Quiz
She practiced her musical _______ for two hours every day.
Correct!
The correct answer is: instrument
Examples
I want to learn how to play a musical instrument like the violin.
everydayI want to learn how to play a musical tool like the violin.
The surgeon requested a specific surgical instrument for the operation.
formalThe doctor asked for a specific medical tool for the surgery.
Cool instrument! Is that a bass guitar?
informalNice musical tool! Is that a bass guitar?
The telescope is a vital scientific instrument for studying distant galaxies.
academicThe telescope is an important scientific tool for studying far stars.
The bank offers various financial instruments to help clients save money.
businessThe bank offers different financial documents or tools to help clients save money.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
musical instrument
a tool for making music
instrument of change
something that causes change to happen
precision instrument
a tool that is very accurate
Often Confused With
A tool is usually for manual work like building, while an instrument is for music or precise scientific measurement.
Usage Notes
In everyday English, 'instrument' almost always refers to music. In professional settings, it refers to precise equipment used in science or medicine.
Common Mistakes
Learners often say 'play the music instrument' instead of 'play a musical instrument' or 'play an instrument'.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Instructions' for an 'Instrument'—complex tools and musical devices usually come with a book of instructions.
Word Origin
From the Latin word 'instrumentum', which means equipment, tool, or document.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western cultures, children are encouraged to learn a musical instrument as part of a well-rounded education.
Quick Quiz
She practiced her musical _______ for two hours every day.
Correct!
The correct answer is: instrument
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
A melody is a sequence of musical notes that are pleasant to...
orchestraAn orchestra is a large group of musicians who play many dif...
musicianA musician is a person who plays a musical instrument or sin...
performancePerformance is how well someone does a task, a job, or an ac...
rhythmA rhythm is a regular, repeating pattern of sounds or moveme...
concertA musical performance given in public by one or more musicia...
More music words
melody
A1A 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
A1In 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
A1A 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
A1In 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
A1In 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
A1The 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
A1In 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
A1A 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.
violin
A1A 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.
viola
A1A viola is a musical instrument with four strings that is held under the chin and played with a bow. It looks like a violin but is slightly larger and has a deeper, lower sound.
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