musician
musician
Pronunciation
musician /mjuːˈzɪʃən/
mu- /mjuː/
/m/ - voiced bilabial nasal
/j/ - voiced palatal approximant
/uː/ - close back rounded vowel
-si- /zɪ/
/z/ - voiced alveolar sibilant
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel
-cian /ʃən/
/ʃ/ - voiceless postalveolar sibilant
/ə/ - schwa (mid-central vowel)
/n/ - voiced alveolar nasal
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Musician
A person who composes, conducts, or performs music, especially as a profession or a serious pursuit.
Synonyms: composer, performer, instrumentalist, vocalist, conductor, artist, player
Antonyms: non-musician, amateur (in a non-professional context), audience member (when referring to one who solely listens)
An individual possessing a strong natural aptitude for or deep understanding of music, often demonstrating exceptional skill or sensitivity in its creation or interpretation.
Synonyms: virtuoso, maestro, prodigy, savant
Antonyms: novice, beginner, layman (in a musical context)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Musician
A person who composes, conducts, or performs music, especially as a profession or a serious pursuit.
Synonyms: composer, performer, instrumentalist, vocalist, conductor, artist, player
Antonyms: non-musician, amateur (in a non-professional context), audience member (when referring to one who solely listens)
An individual possessing a strong natural aptitude for or deep understanding of music, often demonstrating exceptional skill or sensitivity in its creation or interpretation.
Synonyms: virtuoso, maestro, prodigy, savant
Antonyms: novice, beginner, layman (in a musical context)
Examples of Use
Books: "He devoured biographies of great musicians, finding inspiration in their struggles and triumphs."
Newspapers: "The Nairobi Philharmonic Orchestra announced a new season, featuring renowned guest musicians from around the globe." ( The Daily Nation)
Online Publications: "How independent musicians are using Bandcamp to build sustainable careers in the digital age." (Pitchfork)
Entertainment Mediums (Film): "The film follows the journey of a struggling jazz musician in 1950s New York." (Referencing a plotline similar to Whiplash)
Entertainment Platforms (Spotify): "Spotify's 'Wrapped' campaign highlights listener data, often celebrating how many new musicians users discovered throughout the year."
General Public Discourse: "My neighbor is an incredibly talented musician; you can often hear her practicing piano late into the evening."
10 Quotes Using Musician
"A good musician can make a bad instrument sound good." (Thelonious Monk)
"The true musician is a person who plays for the love of music, not for applause." (Anonymous)
"I'm a musician and I love music. I think everybody should be a musician of some sort." (Flea)
"Every good musician will play until their fingers bleed." (Anonymous)
"A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself." (Abraham Maslow)
"To be a musician is a great privilege." (Lang Lang)
"I'm a self-taught musician. I've been playing by ear since I was a kid." (Slash)
"A musician knows how to play; an artist knows how to create." (Anonymous)
"The job of the musician is to go as deeply as possible into music and to communicate that to the audience." (Yo-Yo Ma)
"A musician can sometimes do more than a diplomat." (Louis Armstrong)
Etymology
The word "musician" has a long and interesting history, tracing its roots all the way back to ancient Greek times!
In simple terms, "musician" comes from the word "music" and the ending " -ian". Let's break that down:
Music: This word comes from the Latin "musica," which itself came from the Greek word "mousike." This Greek term referred to any "art of the Muses." The Muses were goddesses in Greek mythology who inspired various arts, including poetry, dance, and, of course, music. So, originally, "music" wasn't just about sounds, but a broader concept of artistic expression inspired by these goddesses.
-ian: This is a common ending in English that means "a person who is skilled in or associated with" a particular field (like "librarian" or "technician").
Putting it together, "musician" essentially means "a person associated with or skilled in the art of the Muses," specifically referring to the art of music.
The first known use of the word "musician" in English dates back to the late 14th century, specifically between 1350 and 1400. At that time, its meaning was "one skilled in music." By the mid-15th century, it also started to specifically refer to a "professional musical performer."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Musician
To face the music: (idiom, meaning to confront the unpleasant consequences of one's actions, using "music" as a synonym for what a musician performs)
Like a true musician: (phrase, implying someone performs with skill, passion, or authenticity)
A musician's ear: (phrase, referring to a highly developed sense of hearing for musical elements)
Every musician knows: (phrase, suggesting a common understanding or experience among those in the field)
The mark of a seasoned musician: (phrase, indicating a characteristic or quality of an experienced performer)
To dance to the piper's tune: (idiom, meaning to conform to someone else's demands, with "piper" being a type of musician)
Playing second fiddle: (idiom, meaning to be in a subordinate position, with "fiddle" being an instrument played by a musician)
To sing like a bird: (idiom, often used to describe a talented vocalist, a type of musician)
The heart of a musician: (phrase, suggesting a deep emotional connection to music)
A musician's journey: (phrase, referring to the path and experiences of someone pursuing music)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of musician from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
