Meaning & use
a plectrum
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Meaning
nouncountable
A small flat piece of plastic, wood, or other hard material used to pluck the strings of a guitar or similar instrument.
Grammar: Countable noun: use 'a plectrum' for one, 'plectrums' for more than one.
Patterns
- play something with a plectrum
- use a plectrum
- a plectrum for a guitar
She lost her plectrum under the sofa and had to play with her fingers.
He always carries a spare plectrum in his pocket when he performs.
This plectrum is too thin for the heavy strings on my bass.
Word forms
| plural | plectrums |
|---|
Common combinations
- guitar plectrum
- I bought a new guitar plectrum at the music shop.
- use a plectrum
- You can use a plectrum or your thumb to play that part.
- pick with a plectrum
- He picks with a plectrum to get a brighter sound.
- plastic plectrum
- A plastic plectrum is cheap and easy to find.
Synonyms and how they differ
- pick
- More common in everyday American English; 'plectrum' is the more formal or British term for the same object.
Commonly confused: a plectrum or spectrum?
a plectrum vs spectrum
A 'spectrum' is a range of colors or ideas, while a 'plectrum' is the small tool for plucking strings. They sound similar but mean very different things.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'a plectrum' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A plectrum is used for plucking strings, so 'used a plectrum to pluck' fits. The other options describe actions that don't match the object's purpose or typical use.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a plectrum”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.