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Definition of cello

cello

/ˈtʃɛl.oʊ/
cel · lo
Plural:cellos
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cello Lexical Profile

cello Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A large, wooden string instrument of the violin family, tuned an octave lower than the viola, played with a bow while held upright between the knees of a seated musician.

Example

"She practiced the cello for hours every day to prepare for the upcoming symphony orchestra audition."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for cello

• Rhymes for cello

• Nearby Words

celebrex
celeriac
celery
cello
celosia
celotex
celtuce

Word Origin & Etymology

An early 20th-century clipping of the Italian word 'violoncello', which is a diminutive of 'violone' (meaning 'large viol'). It was historically written with an apostrophe ('cello) to indicate the missing prefix.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cello. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 18, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cello
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