violinist

Everyday

A person who plays the violin, a stringed musical instrument held under the chin and played with a bow. tree →

In the lessons

Used in music lessons and about orchestras and bands. A violinist can be a learner in a school orchestra or a famous professional. The leading violinist of an orchestra is called the leader (UK) or concertmaster (US). Phrases: "a famous violinist", "first violinist".

Examples

• My sister is a violinist in the school orchestra. tree →
• The violinist played a sad tune on the street. tree →
• A violinist needs to practise every day. tree →
• The orchestra had twenty violinists. tree →
• The violinist tucked the violin under her chin and lifted the bow. tree →
• Mozart's father was a violinist and a music teacher. tree →

Note

Countable: a violinist. Built from "violin" plus -ist, like pianist and cellist. Someone who plays the fiddle in folk music may be called a fiddler, though the instrument is the same.