bouzouki

noun

bou·​zou·​ki bü-ˈzü-kē How to pronounce bouzouki (audio)
plural bouzoukis also bouzoukia bü-ˈzü-kē-ə How to pronounce bouzouki (audio)
: a long-necked stringed instrument of Greek origin that resembles a mandolin

Examples of bouzouki in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Akrivos was noodling on a bouzouki. — Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2026 This is the second day ever in his life that Chris has played bouzouki! — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2023 Farmers come from the countryside around Athens to sell their produce while small groups of musicians busk with bouzouki music. — Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024 And the title track features what sounds like a bouzouki riff, although it is let down by strangely disposable lyrics on what might be the least enigmatic song Morrissey has ever sung. — Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bouzouki

Word History

Etymology

Modern Greek mpouzouki

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bouzouki was in 1939

Rhymes for bouzouki

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Browse Nearby Words

bouze
bouzouki
bovarism
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Cite this Entry

“Bouzouki.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bouzouki. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bouzouki

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bouzouki

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