noun
Etymology
Origin of bassist
Explanation
If you're a musician who plays a standup bass or a bass guitar, you're a bassist. All bassists play instruments with deep, low tones, and the word derives from a Latin root meaning "low." In a rock band, the bassist and drummer provide the rhythm that forms a song's foundation — and the bassist also plays notes that harmonize with the guitar, keyboards, and any other instruments. Classical and jazz bassists do something similar, but they have to stand up while they're playing.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lambrini Girls bassist Selin Macieira-Boşgelmez tells BBC Newsbeat that women in the rock scene are "often plagued with imposter syndrome".
From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026
Ronald LaPread, a co-founder and former bassist of the funk and soul group the Commodores, has died.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026
Porter formed close friendships and musical connections with saxophonist Kamasi Washington, multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin, bassist Thundercat and the key players that would later form the West Coast Get Down.
From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026
The beaming face of Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist Gary 'Mani' Mounfield has been turned into a giant mural on the side of one of his favourite pubs.
From BBC • May 11, 2026
Turns out I will not become a bassist today.
From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
