ukulele
n. countablen. a small musical instrument with four strings that looks like a tiny guitar. It is originally from Hawaii and has a bright, happy sound.
n. a small, four-stringed musical instrument of the lute family, developed in Hawaii from Portuguese origins. It is typically played by strumming or plucking the strings.
She learned to play a simple song on her ukulele.
The band added a ukulele to the track to give it a light, tropical feel.
While often associated with casual folk music, the ukulele has gained respect in professional circles for its unique tonal qualities and portability.
Borrowed from Hawaiian ʻukulele, from ʻuku (“flea”) + lele (“jump, jumping”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Often preceded by the definite article when referring to the instrument type in general.
Last updated May 11, 2026