Meaning & use
pianist
Last updated
UK/ˈpiːənɪst/
US/ˈpiːənɪst/
Meaning
nouncountable
A person who plays the piano, especially as a skill or profession.
Grammar: Countable noun: a pianist, two pianists. Often used after be or as a job title.
Patterns
- be a pianist
- a concert pianist
- a jazz pianist
She became a concert pianist after years of practice.
The pianist played a beautiful sonata by Chopin.
He is a jazz pianist who performs in local clubs.
Word forms
| plural | pianists |
|---|
Common combinations
- concert pianist
- The concert pianist received a standing ovation.
- jazz pianist
- A jazz pianist improvised a solo.
- accomplished pianist
- She is an accomplished pianist and teacher.
- play the piano
- He learned to play the piano as a child.
Synonyms and how they differ
- keyboardist
- A keyboardist plays electronic keyboards or synthesizers, not usually an acoustic piano.
- musician
- Musician is a general word for anyone who plays music; pianist is specific to the piano.
Word family
- piano noun
- The instrument itself.
- pianistic adjective
- Relating to the piano or piano playing.
Commonly confused: pianist or pianoforte?
pianist vs pianoforte
Pianoforte is an old-fashioned formal word for the piano; pianist is the player.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'pianist' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A pianist specifically plays the piano, so 'plays the piano' fits. The other options mention different instruments, which do not match 'pianist'.
Make it your own
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