ENGLISH
REFERENCE

harmonica

n.
B1 Intermediate US //hɑɹˈmɑnɪkə// UK //hɑːmˈɒnɪkɐ// har·mon·i·ca

n. a small musical instrument with metal reeds that you blow into to make sounds. It is often used in folk music and blues.

n. a wind instrument consisting of a series of reeds mounted on a metal plate, played by blowing air through the reeds or drawing air across them.


SIMPLE

He plays a beautiful tune on his harmonica.

CONTEXTUAL

The blues musician used a harmonica to add a soulful sound to the live performance.

COMPLEX

While the piano provides the harmonic foundation, the harmonica carries the melody, creating a distinctive contrast between the two instruments in the ensemble.

Synonyms
Origin

From armonica. Coined by American polymath and statesman Benjamin Franklin to refer to his glass harmonica, an instrument that predated the small wind instrument by several decades. Doublet of harmonic; compare Latin harmonicus.

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