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oud

American  
[ood] / ud /

noun

  1. a musical instrument of the Middle East and northern Africa belonging to the lute family.


oud British  
/ uːd /

noun

  1. an Arabic stringed musical instrument resembling a lute or mandolin

"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 oud

1730–40; < Arabic ʿūd literally, wood; see lute 1


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.

See Examples For:

A cologne with notes of violet, oud and cinnamon ensures he’ll leave a lasting impression long after he’s left a room.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026

He used to play the oud - his favourite instrument - but this requires two hands.

From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2024

His grandfather was one of the first percussionists in the area and his grandmother played the oud, a lute-like stringed musical instrument common in the Middle East and Africa.

From Seattle Times ● May 13, 2024

“He said to me something beautiful: ‘I want people to understand that the oud is not only Arabic, it’s everything.’

From New York Times ● Oct. 26, 2022

“It will make me feel better, knowing the oud is with you. And—” She puts something cool in the palm of my hand.

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar

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