harp

[ hahrp ]

/ hɑrp /

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See synonyms for: harp / harping on Thesaurus.com

noun

a musical instrument consisting of a triangular frame formed by a soundbox, a pillar, and a curved neck, and having strings stretched between the soundbox and the neck that are plucked with the fingers.

anything that resembles this instrument, especially in having a row of parallel strings or wires, as various mechanical devices or kitchen implements for slicing cheese.

a vertical metal frame shaped to bend around the bulb in a standing lamp and used to support a lamp shade.

Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a person of Irish birth or descent.

Also called harper . any of several English coins issued for use in Ireland during the 16th and 17th centuries, bearing the figure of a harp on the reverse.

South Midland and Southern U.S. a mouth harp; harmonica.

verb (used without object)

to play on a harp.

Verb Phrases

harp on / upon to dwell on persistently or tediously in speaking or writing: He was always harping on the importance of taking vitamin supplements.

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Origin of harp

before 900; Middle English harpe,Old English hearpe; cognate with Dutch harp,German Harfe,Old Norse harpa

OTHER WORDS FROM harp

harplike, adjectiveun·harped, adjective

Words nearby harp

Harold I, Harold II, Harold III, haroseth, Haroun-al-Raschid, harp, harper, Harpers Ferry, Harper Woods, Harpies, harping

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use harp in a sentence

You would see this young, beautiful man and an orchestra, then you would see a jazz trio and a harp.
Revisiting ‘The Visitors’: An oral history of Ragnar Kjartansson’s multimedia masterpiece|Sebastian Smee, Gabriel Florit, Joanne Lee|July 23, 2021|Washington Post
Lento The harp is having a moment right now, and I am very much here for it.
Beyond Vivaldi, a classical playlist to bring on the spring|Michael Andor Brodeur|April 2, 2021|Washington Post
For other captions, such as “a snail made of harp,” the results are less good, with images that combine snails and harps in odd ways.
This avocado armchair could be the future of AI|Will Heaven|January 5, 2021|MIT Technology Review
You’re going to want to hear his harp take on Notorious BIG’s “Big Poppa,” and read how the 26-year-old launched a classical response to George Floyd’s death.
A New Vision for America|Daniel Malloy|November 29, 2020|Ozy

Others described it as sounding like a broken harp or lyre string.
Imagine traveling to the moon only to realize you’re allergic to it. One astronaut did.|PopSci Staff|November 25, 2020|Popular-Science
They often harp on the indiscretion, such as an affair, and not the larger picture.
Why Do Voters Stick With Hypocrites Like Scott DesJarlais?|Keli Goff|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“My job was to assess their fear and then harp on that fear, capitalize on that fear and get them to buy,” said Maddox, 33.
‘Degree Mills’ Are Exploiting Veterans and Making Millions Off the GI Bill|Aaron Glantz|June 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I've been harping on this theme for nearly a decade now, and now it's time to harp again.
America's European Allies Drop the Ball|David Frum|May 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Later he started playing classical guitar and then the harp.
Shooting the Stars With Fashion Photographers Markus and Indrani|Abigail Pesta|November 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Through March 2012, HARP was only permitted to refinance mortgages that were up to 125 percent of the value of a home.
New Data Shows HARP Mortgage Refinance Program Is Finally Working|Matthew Zeitlin|October 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The mirth of timbrels hath ceased, the noise of them that rejoice is ended, the melody of the harp is silent.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
Wherefore my bowels shall sound like a harp for Moab, and my inward parts for the brick wall.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
Perhaps in the full fruition of your genius your music, like the warm western wind to the harp, may bring life to her soul.
The Fifth String |John Philip Sousa
There's Raphael singing, Gabriel accompanying him on the harp, and all the angels flapping their wings to express their joy.
Friend Mac Donald|Max O'Rell
The world was strung with them like a harp, and upon them the wind played a monotonous refrain.
The Dragon Painter|Mary McNeil Fenollosa

British Dictionary definitions for harp

harp

/ (hɑːp) /

noun

a large triangular plucked stringed instrument consisting of a soundboard connected to an upright pillar by means of a curved crossbar from which the strings extend downwards. The strings are tuned diatonically and may be raised in pitch either one or two semitones by the use of pedals (double-action harp). Basic key: B major; range: nearly seven octaves

something resembling this, esp in shape

an informal name (esp in pop music) for harmonica

verb

(intr) to play the harp

(tr) archaic to speak; utter; express

(intr; foll by on or upon) to speak or write in a persistent and tedious manner

Derived forms of harp

harper or harpist, noun

Word Origin for harp

Old English hearpe; related to Old Norse harpa, Old High German harfa, Latin corbis basket, Russian korobit to warp

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for harp

harp

An instrument in the string section of the orchestra. The orchestral harp is several feet tall and has pedals that allow the harpist to change the key of the instrument as necessary.

harp

Origin of harp

OTHER WORDS FROM harp

Words nearby harp

Words related to harp

How to use harp in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for harp

Derived forms of harp

Word Origin for harp

Cultural definitions for harp