Meaning & use

Jew's harp

noun·Advanced

A small musical instrument held between the teeth or lips and plucked to produce a twanging sound.

See it in a sentence

He entertained the campers by playing folk tunes on a Jew's harp.

The Jew's harp appears in folk music traditions across Europe and Asia.

A note on using this word

Despite its name, the instrument has no confirmed historical connection to Jewish culture, and its origin is debated.

Words with a similar meaning

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