An oboe is a woodwindA family of instruments, often made of wood, blown through reeds or holes. instrument played with a double reed. It has a clear, penetratingStrong and sharp enough to be easily heard. sound and is used in orchestrasLarge groups of musicians who play together, usually with strings and brass., chamber music, and bands.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈoʊboʊ/
Easy pronunciation: OH-boh (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Pronunciation for the woodwind instrument, not any other sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Oboe Meaning
a woodwind instrument with a double reed
Part of speech: noun
Definition: A slender woodwind instrument played with a double reed.
Example: She learned to play the oboe in middle school.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- hautbois — An older French term for the same instrument, but uncommon in modern English.
- hautboy — An older English term for the same instrument; now mostly historical.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Oboe Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- hautbois
- hautboy
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes misspell it as "hobo" or confuse it with other woodwind instruments like the clarinet or bassoon.
- "Oboe" is the instrument, not the player. The player is called an oboist.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does oboe mean?
An oboe is a woodwind instrument played with a double reed. It has a bright, distinctive sound.
What are synonyms for oboe?
The main historical synonyms are "hautbois" and "hautboy," though both are rare in modern English.
Is oboe a person or an instrument?
It is an instrument. A person who plays it is called an oboist.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.