Klezmer definition

klĕzmər
klezmers klezmorim
See word origin
Frequency:
A traditionally itinerant Jewish folk musician of eastern Europe performing in a small band, as at weddings.
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The Jewish folk music played by small, traditionally itinerant bands.
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Klezmer music.
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(historical) An itinerant musician who performed at Jewish weddings and holiday celebrations in E Europe.
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A musician who performs klezmer music.
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Designating or of a kind of E European Jewish folk music, typically performed by a small band consisting of a violin, clarinet, mandolin, accordion, etc. and accompanying Yiddish vocals.
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(countable) A Jewish folk musician.
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(uncountable) A type of popular Jewish folk music especially associated with Ashkenazi cultures.
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
klezmer
Plural:
klezmers, klezmorim

Origin of klezmer

  • Yiddish from Mishnaic Hebrew kəlê zemer musical instruments kəlê pl. bound form of kəlî instrument kll in Semitic roots zemer music, song zmr in Semitic roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Yiddish כּלי־זמיר (klezmer), from Hebrew כְּלֵי זֶֽמֶר (k’lé zémer, “musical instruments”).

    From Wiktionary

Klezmer Sentence Examples

  • The five-man ensemble adds a super tight rhythm section of acoustic bass, drums and piano to the traditional klezmer clarinet and flute.

  • Yiddish songs and Klezmer melodies show the influence of early jazz with the immigration to the New World at the turn of this century.

  • Featuring a diverse range of musical styles including jazz, Argentinean tango, Brazilian samba, classical, ragtime and Klezmer.

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Also Mentioned In

Words near klezmer in the Dictionary