Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun One who composes, conducts, or performs music, especially instrumental music.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun One who makes music a profession or otherwise devotes himself to it, whether as composer, performer, critic, theorist, or historian.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun One skilled in the art or science of music; esp., a skilled singer, or performer on a musical instrument.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A composer, conductor, or performer of music.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun artist who composes or conducts music as a profession
  • noun someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession)

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Middle English musicien, from Old French, from Latin mūsica, music; see music.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

music +‎ -ian

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Examples

  • A name musician was what she needed — someone important, someone their momma and Aunt Tiny would pay attention to.

    Yolonda's Genius Carol Fenner 2001

  • A name musician was what she needed — someone important, someone their momma and Aunt Tiny would pay attention to.

    Yolonda's Genius Carol Fenner 2001

  • A name musician was what she needed — someone important, someone their momma and Aunt Tiny would pay attention to.

    Yolonda's Genius Carol Fenner 2001

  • A name musician was what she needed — someone important, someone their momma and Aunt Tiny would pay attention to.

    Yolonda's Genius Carol Fenner 2001

  • We batted back and forth what you call a musician who plays a euphonium--euphoniumist, euphoniumer, or my personal favorite--euphonist.

    Archive 2006-05-01 Will 2006

  • "Yes, indeed; he's what they call a musician _di primo cartello_!" he exclaimed, with a sudden determination.

    Swann's Way Marcel Proust 1896

  • Charlie is truly what we call a musician's musician.

    Expecting Rain 2009

  • He was much debated and this young musician is still knocked on.

    Global Voices in English » Mozambique: House of the Flying Azagaias 2009

  • Given this, each of these vernaculars has its own ‘king’ or ‘queen’ as far as the level of talents possessed by said musician is concerned.

    Global Voices in English » Liberians Are Talking, Are You Listening? 2009

  • Song Clip: 'After You've Gone' From its opening bars, the music proves the disc isn't a vanity project or another role for the 52-year-old Mr. Laurie, who in the U.K. is known as a musician and comedian as well as a dramatic actor.

    Hugh Laurie Is Happy Performing the Blues Jim Fusilli 2011

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