What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lute
Example
The musician played a beautiful melody on his lute. [lute: noun]
Example
She learned to play the lute when she was studying music in college. [lute: noun]
guitar
Example
He strummed his guitar and sang a song for the audience. [guitar: noun]
Example
She took guitar lessons to improve her skills. [guitar: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Guitar is more commonly used than lute in modern music. Guitar is versatile and can be used in many different genres, while lute is less common and is primarily used in classical music.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lute and guitar?
Lute is typically associated with a formal and classical tone, while guitar can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the genre of music being played.