dulcimer

noun

dul·​ci·​mer ˈdəl-sə-mər 

1

: a stringed instrument of trapezoidal shape played with light hammers held in the hands

2

or less commonly dulcimore

ˈdəl-sə-ˌmȯr 

: an American folk instrument with three or four strings stretched over an elongate fretted sound box that is held on the lap and played by plucking or strumming

Examples of dulcimer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Rolling Stones rose to the challenge with Aftermath, dabbling in sitar and dulcimer. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2024

Between the Buttons, however, is a fetchingly bespoke potpourri of pop styles, its sound largely shaped by Jones jumping around the studio laying down overdubs of dulcimer, kazoo, tuba, recorder, accordion, and vibraphone. —Al Shipley, SPIN, 17 Oct. 2023

The folk artist and children’s musician will also teach a class in songwriting class each day of the session at 10:30 a.m. Class offerings are wide-ranging, providing opportunities to learn common instruments such as guitar or rarer ones like dulcimer. —Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 1 July 2023

There is more uniformity of tone than a modern grand, but less volume and a more metallic sound, somewhat like a hammered dulcimer played with a soft mallet. —Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dowcemere, from Middle French doulcemer, from Old Italian dolcimelo, from dolce sweet, from Latin dulcis

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dulcimer

• Appalachian dulcimer
• hammer dulcimer

Kids Definition

dulcimer

noun

dul·​ci·​mer ˈdəl-sə-mər 

1

: a stringed instrument played with light hammers held in the hands

2

or dulcimore

-ˌmōr 

-ˌmȯr

: an American folk instrument with three or four strings held on the lap and played by plucking or strumming