ukulele Hear it!

ukulele Definition

☆ uku·lele (yo̵̅o̅′kə lā′lē)

noun

a small, four-stringed, guitarlike musical instrument introduced from Portugal into the Hawaiian Islands about 1879

Etymology: Haw, lit., leaping flea < uku, flea (< Proto-Polynesian *kutu > cootie) + lele, to jump: orig. a nickname of Edward Purvis, nimble player who popularized the instrument there

ukulele Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • play: The singer uses the Japanese folk style playing the ukulele, more info on her cna be obtained here at JVC Music.
  • have: But I had a little ukulele in there, so I got to write a lot of songs!

Adjective modifier

  • little: But I had a little ukulele in there, so I got to write a lot of songs!
  • old: Friday, July 29, 2005 Mystery Mackay Spy Mystery Bob is a genius on the old ukulele.

Modifies a noun

  • player: I would go as far to say the best ukulele player in Falkirk.
  • banjo: Well known on the local folk scene from the 70's for his comic compositions, singing and playing his ukulele banjo.
  • orchestra: Now we have calmed down, we are at the acoustic stage for the ukulele orchestra of great britain.

Noun used with modifier

banjo: This was just him and his voice, no banjo ukulele or guitar.