Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

downpick

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 0.00 in modern English

Syllables: down-pick
IPA

20

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A downward stroke with a plectrum on a stringed instrument; downstroke.

verb

To play a stringed instrument by using all downpicks.

Example Sentences

"Outstanding selections include a knuckle-busting medley ("Chilly Winds-Old Joe Clark-Salt River- Johnny Bring the Jug Around the Hill") played in the bright, aggressive downpick clawhammer style of Wade Ward."
"Use all downpicks to get a more hard-driving sound."
"When there is an even number of notes, you must begin with the downpick and then alternate each note."
"“When I was playing with James Hetfield in Metallica,” Dave says, “we pretty much decided that rhythm guitar should be downpicking when it comes to pedaling, until it's so fast that you can't downpick anymore...""
"Well, that is only a half-truth, as Mr. Steele also downpicked, that is, trailed."

Etymology

From down + pick.

Inflected Forms

downpicks (plural) downpicks (present, singular) downpicking (participle, present) downpicked (participle, past) downpicked (past)

Questions

What does downpick mean?: A downward stroke with a plectrum on a stringed instrument; downstroke.
Where does downpick come from?: From down + pick.

How to pronounce downpick

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “downpick”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “downpick”.
Repeat and practice — Say “downpick” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.