Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

slack-key

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.69 in modern English

Syllables: slack--key
IPA

21

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

(of a string instrument or a manner of playing one) Performed with loosened strings, such that all of the strings play in the same key (most often G major).

Example Sentences

"Spanish-style guitars played in the standard position, though probably in altered tunings slack-key fashion."

Etymology

From a translation of the Hawaiian kī hōʻalu (“loosen the [tuning] key”).

Inflected Forms

slack key (alternative)

Questions

What does slack-key mean?: (of a string instrument or a manner of playing one) Performed with loosened strings, such that all of the strings play in the same key (most often G major).
Where does slack-key come from?: From a translation of the Hawaiian kī hōʻalu (“loosen the [tuning] key”).

How to pronounce slack-key

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