rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycellistCello player
noun

cellist

CHEL-ist/ˈtʃelɪst/

A musician who plays the cello.

The seated cellist draws her bow across the strings.

Seated cellist draws bow across strings, instrument between knees with endpin on floor.
Etymology
cellEnglishcello
+istEnglishpractitioner

The player-name was shortened from violoncellist to match cello, itself a shortening of violoncello. The ending identifies someone who plays the instrument.

In context

Boston Philharmonic35:47
You're a cellist. I played with Jacqueline du Pré. We played the two cello quintet of Schubert when she was 15.
Elgar: Cello Concerto - 1st movement (Benjamin Zander - Interpretation Class)

More examples

  • Two cellists join the orchestra for the concert.
  • She trains as a cellist at the conservatory.
  • The cellist tunes before the quartet begins.

Forms

cellist · cellists