ENGLISH
REFERENCE

flute

n. · v.
US //ˈfɫut// UK //flˈuːt// flute
  1. 1 musical instrument (n.)
    A2 Elementary Music

    a thin, metal or wooden musical instrument that you play by blowing air across a hole while covering other holes with your fingers.

    a woodwind instrument consisting of a tube with holes stopped by fingers or keys, producing sound from the vibration of air blown across an opening.

    Example

    She practiced the flute for an hour every day before her concert.

    Example

    The soloist performed a complex concerto, demonstrating the flute's ability to produce both piercing high notes and mellow lower tones.
  2. 2 drinking glass (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a tall, very thin glass with a long stem, used for drinking champagne or sparkling wine.

    a tall, narrow-stemmed glass with a tapered bowl designed to retain the carbonation in sparkling wines.

    Example

    The waiter filled each flute with cold champagne for the wedding toast.

    Example

    Guests held their flutes aloft as the host delivered a moving speech in honor of the couple's anniversary.
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 architectural groove (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    a long, vertical curve or groove cut into a stone pillar or column.

    a decorative semicircular groove or channel, typically one of a series cut vertically into the shaft of a classical column.

    Example

    The old stone columns had deep flutes that caught the shadows of the evening sun.

    Example

    The architect specified that each Doric column should feature twenty distinct flutes to maintain historical accuracy.
  2. 4 to speak or sing clearly (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    to speak or sing in a high, clear, and pleasant voice.

    to utter sounds or words in a high-pitched, melodic tone reminiscent of a flute.

    Example

    The birds fluted their songs from the trees early in the morning.

    Example

    She fluted a cheerful greeting from the balcony, her voice carrying clearly across the quiet courtyard.
Etymology 1

From Middle English fleute, floute, flote, from Old French flaute, fleüte, from Old Provençal flaüt, of uncertain origin. Perhaps ultimately from three possibilities: * Blend of Provencal flaujol (“flageolet”) + laüt (“lute”) * From Latin flātus (“blowing”), from flāre (“to blow”) * Imitative. Doublet of flauta and fluyt.

Etymology 2

Compare French flûte (“a transport”)?, Dutch fluit.

© 2026 English Reference