Flute
/fluːt/
Definitions
2 meaningsA musical wind instrument consisting of a long tube with a series of holes that are stopped by the fingers or by keys.
/fluːt/
A musical instrument
The orchestra's highlight was the flute solo.
💡 Simply: It's like a long, shiny tube you blow into to make beautiful sounds. It's part of an orchestra and a lot of fun to play!
👶 For kids: A musical instrument you blow into to make a pretty sound.
More Examples
He spent years mastering the art of playing the flute.
The sound of the flute echoed through the concert hall.
How It's Used
"She plays the flute beautifully."
"The flute section was essential to the piece's harmony."
To make grooves or channels in (a surface or object), typically in a series.
/fluːt/
To make fluted or grooved decorations.
The architect chose to flute the columns for a more elegant look.
💡 Simply: To add those fancy, little lines or grooves to something, like how you might decorate a pie crust.
👶 For kids: To make little lines or grooves on something.
More Examples
She carefully fluted the edges of the pie before baking it.
The sculptor fluted the marble to give it texture.
How It's Used
"The columns were fluted to enhance their appearance."
"The pastry chef fluted the edges of the pie crust."
Idioms & expressions
play something by ear
To decide what to do in a situation as it develops, without any plans or instructions.
"When the presentation was interrupted, the speaker decided to play it by ear and improvise."
From Old French *flahute* and Provençal *flaut*, ultimately from Latin *flāre* meaning 'to blow'.
Historically, flutes have been around for thousands of years, with evidence of simple flutes made from bones dating back to prehistoric times.
Memory tip
Imagine blowing air across the top of a bottle – that's the basic principle of a flute!
Word Origin
"To blow"