flute

1 of 2

noun

ˈflüt 

1

a

: recorder sense 3

b

: a keyed woodwind instrument consisting of a cylindrical tube which is stopped at one end and which has a side hole over which air is blown to produce the tone and having a range from middle C upward for three octaves

2

: something long and slender: such as

a

: a tall slender wineglass

b

: a grooved pleat (as on a hat brim)

3

: a rounded groove

specifically : one of the vertical parallel grooves on a classical architectural column

flutelike

ˈflüt-ˌlīk 

adjective

fluty adjective

or flutey

ˈflü-tē 

Illustration of flute

• flute 1b

flute

2 of 2

verb

fluted; fluting

intransitive verb

1

: to play a flute

2

: to produce a flutelike sound

transitive verb

1

: to utter with a flutelike sound

2

: to form flutes in

fluter noun

Did you know?

This is a woodwind instrument whose sound is produced by blowing against a sharp edge. Flutes may be end-blown, like the recorder, or may have a round shape, like the ocarina; however, the term usually refers to the transverse flute of Western music. The transverse flute, a tubular instrument held sideways to the right, appeared in Greece and Italy by the second century ce. By the 16th century, flutes with finger holes but no keys were in use in Europe. Keys began to be added in the late 17th century. Later 19th-century innovations resulted in the modern flute. The cylindrical tube may be made of wood or, more often, a precious metal or alloy. The flute family also includes the piccolo, the alto flute, and the rare bass flute.

Examples of flute in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

After being invited by Adamo to join his touring band, Kalma learned how to play the flute within a week. —Walden Green, Pitchfork, 8 June 2025

Its title is an homage to Density 21.5, the revolutionary 1936 solo flute work by French composer Edgar Varèse. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2025

Verb

Elegant fluting on the shoulder and a diamond-faceted closure pay homage to the 1950s diamond decanter bottles that helped cement Old Fitzgerald’s premium identity. —Emily Price, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025

It’s made from a dark wood and has eye-catching detailing like tapered turned legs and fluting on the drawers to add a touch of sophistication to a living room. —Clara McMahon, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English floute, from Anglo-French floute, fleute, from Old French flaüte, probably of imitative origin

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing flute

• fipple flute

Rhymes for flute

• beaut
• boot
• bruit
• brut
• brute
• chute
• coot
• cute
• fruit
• hoot
• jute
• loot

Kids Definition

flute

1 of 2 noun

ˈflüt 

1

: a woodwind instrument played by blowing across a hole near the closed end

2

: a rounded groove

especially : one on an architectural column

flutelike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

flute

2 of 2 verb

fluted; fluting

1

: to play a flute

2

: to make a sound like that of a flute

3

: to form flutes in

fluted columns