banjo Hear it!

banjo Definition

☆ banjo (ban′jō′)

noun pl. -·jos′ or -·joes′

a stringed musical instrument having a long neck and a circular body covered on top with tightly stretched skin: the strings, usually four or five, are plucked with the fingers or a plectrum

Etymology: of Afr orig., prob. akin to Kimbundu (a Bantu language) mbanza, an instrument resembling the banjo

banjo Related Forms

ban′·jo·ist noun

banjo Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • duel: However, it does include the famous ' dueling banjos ' scene.
  • play: Richard plays banjo, bass, mandolin, guitar or anything he can get a sound out of.
  • pick: A few minutes into the conversation he said: You won't believe who is sitting here picking the banjo with me.
  • buy: I mean, we're all older now, and Rob's bought a banjo, so it seemed the way to go.
  • learn: I am trying to learn five string bluegrass banjo, but have not found anyone who knows much about it until now!
  • make: He was probably a cabinet maker by trade and began making banjos under his own name and for other people.

Adjective modifier

  • 5-string: I particularly like the 5-string banjo in the dance tunes.
  • old: All in all a good debut performance and interesting use of the old banjo - come back soon I say.

Modifies a noun

  • picker: MANY OF OUR READERS won't be familiar with Bluegrass banjo picker Alan Munde, who will be touring the UK in June.
  • bolt: It is much easier to undo the fitting where you can see my set of grips, than on the lower banjo bolt.
  • playing: Great banjo playing done in the three finger style.
  • player: Soap Box Derby - The only site on the Internet with an official banjo player.
  • enclosure: The Dunkirt Barn complex -- the circular ' banjo enclosure ' is upper right, the villa buildings are central.
  • tab: My problem is that I can't read your banjo tab with my Macintosh.

Noun used with modifier

  • clawhammer: His clawhammer banjo is quickly surpassing mine too, the scamp... Hope you had a good New Year do.
  • five-string: Over the summer of '92, Pip Dylan let his hands heal whilst mastering the five-string banjo.
  • bluegrass: We guarantee this book will get you started playing bluegrass banjo.
  • tenor: Unusually, however, she has also reached the same successful heights playing tenor banjo.
  • string: We are delighted to announce the release of our first video product, designed to help 5 string banjo players learn from tablature.
  • guitar: Joel - guitar banjo, fretless bass } Sleep now.