Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of musical instrument: A sax is a single-reed woodwind instrument with a conical metal body and a flared bell. It is a common informal shortening of the word "saxophone."
   • A tool: (Less common) A sax can refer to a type of hammer or tool, specifically one used by slaters or roofers for cutting slate.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Musical Instrument):
  • He played a smooth jazz solo on his sax.
  • The band's sound is defined by the wailing sax.
• Noun (Tool):
  • The roofer used a sax to trim the slate tiles. (This usage is now rare and specialized.)

Advanced Usage

• "The sax": Often used colloquially to refer to the saxophone section of a band or the instrument's sound in general.
  • I love the part in the song where the sax comes in.

Variants and Related Words

• Saxophone (n): The full, formal name of the instrument.
  • She studies classical saxophone at the conservatory.
• Saxist (n): A musician who plays the saxophone. (Less common than "saxophonist").
• Saxhorn (n): A family of brass instruments with valves, invented by Adolphe Sax.

Synonyms

• Saxophone: The full term for the instrument.
• Horn: (Informal, especially in jazz contexts) A general term for wind instruments, sometimes used for saxophone.
  • He's a great horn player. (Could refer to saxophone, trumpet, etc.)

Related Idioms

• To blow the sax: To play the saxophone.
  • He's been learning to blow the sax for a year now.
• Sax appeal: A playful pun on "sex appeal," sometimes used to describe the attractive, smooth sound of the instrument.
  • That musician has serious sax appeal.

Noun

1. a single-reed woodwind with a conical bore
2. a Belgian maker of musical instruments who invented the saxophone (1814-1894)