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klezmer

American  
[klez-mer] / ˈklɛz mər /

noun

plural

klezmorim
  1. a Jewish folk musician traditionally performing in a small band.

  2. Also klezmer music. the type of music performed by such musicians.


klezmer British  
/ ˈklɛzmə /

noun

  1. a Jewish folk musician, usually a member of a small band

  2. Also called: klezmer music.  the music performed by such a band

"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

Etymology

Origin of klezmer

From Yiddish

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.

After all, I play clarinet in a klezmer band.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

In May, Strange Brew called off a concert by London group Oi Va Voi, who bill themselves as a modern folk klezmer band.

From BBC • Nov. 19, 2025

Musical offerings ranged from traditional klezmer performances on violin and accordion evoking the Central Europe of old to more modern shows, including psychedelic Yiddish rock.

From Barron's • Oct. 26, 2025

The experience made him reflect on the role of violins in Jewish culture, from the shtetls of Eastern Europe to klezmer bands to Itzhak Perlman’s soaring concertos.

From New York Times • Mar. 21, 2024

The wagons came to a halt as the klezmer band came around a bend in the forest path.

From "The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen