What does oboe mean?
Word: Oboe
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Oboe means a thin wooden instrument that the player blows into, holding it straight down in front of the body.
How do you spell oboe?
Syllables: o - boe
Tricky part: The word ends in oe, with a silent e after the o. Children often write obo or oboh.
Watch out for: obo, oboh
Memory tip: A silent e sits at the very end of oboe, like a cap on a pen.
Oboe in a sentence
Example 1: Ananya played a sweet tune on her oboe at the school concert.
Example 2: Ananya's oboe lives in a small black case lined with velvet.
Example 3: Grandpa took me to hear an oboe player at the music festival in Chennai.
Fun Fact
When a large group of musicians tunes up before a concert, the players usually match their note A to the oboe.
Practise the CREST Way
Sound Check
In which word does 'oe' sound different?
a) toe
b) oboe
c) shoe
d) hoe
Show answer
c) shoe. In shoe the oe says 'oo'; in the other three it says 'oh'.
Spellacadabra
From which option does a letter need to be removed to make a meaningful word?
a) violin
b) obboe
c) guitar
d) piano
Show answer
b) obboe. The thin wooden instrument has a single b; violin, guitar and piano are already correct.
Jumble Tumble
Which option has letters that you can rearrange to form the name of a musical instrument?
a) boae
b) boeo
c) ebor
d) obwl
Show answer
b) boeo. Ebor makes robe and obwl makes bowl, which are not instruments, and boae has an a that does not belong.
Spell Spies
Choose the pair which has a spelling error:
a) oboe : oboes
b) piano : pianos
c) violin : violines
d) drum : drums
Show answer
c) violin : violines. Violin just adds s to make violins.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The oboe and the bassoon are close cousins. What do they have in common?
a) both are hit with sticks
b) both have strings to pluck
c) both are blown through a reed
d) both have a keyboard
Show answer
c) both are blown through a reed
2. Which of these best describes the sound of an oboe?
a) soft and rumbling
b) high and clear
c) loud and crashing
d) deep and booming
Show answer
b) high and clear
