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Definition of mandolin

mandolin

/ˈmæn.də.lɪn/
man · do · lin

Plural:mandolins
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mandolin Lexical Profile

mandolin Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A stringed musical instrument in the lute family, typically having a pear-shaped body, a fretted neck, and four pairs of strings played with a plectrum.

Example

"The folk musician tuned his mandolin before stepping onto the stage for the acoustic set."


2

A kitchen utensil consisting of a flat frame with adjustable blades, used for slicing vegetables uniformly.

Example

"The chef used a mandolin to cut the potatoes into paper-thin slices for the gratin."

Word Nuance & Usage

The spelling 'mandoline' is traditionally preferred for the kitchen slicing tool to visually distinguish it from the musical instrument, though 'mandolin' is commonly used for both in modern English.

• Rhymes for mandolin

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from French 'mandoline', which traces back to the Italian 'mandolino', a diminutive of 'mandola' (a larger lute-like instrument).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mandolin. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mandolin
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