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Glite Dictionary
vibes

vibes

1 8.5
A musical instrument with metal bars that makes a soft, ringing sound when hit
  • noun
  • /vaɪbz/
  • Jargon
translation icon : vibráfono
  • He played a beautiful melody on the vibes during the jazz concert.

Examples

  • The musician showcased his skills on the vibes at the local music festival.

  • During the performance, the vibes created a warm and inviting atmosphere.

  • Instead, I went to Gathering of the Vibes and Mountain Jam this year.

    Blog text (22)

  • Eddie Vibes.

    Henry's Crime (2010)

Synonyms

vibraphone
vsvibes
2 9.1

A musical instrument like a xylophone with metal bars that make a soft ringing sound when they vibrate

is the informal short name used for the same instrument
vibraharp
vsvibes
  • Specialized
9.9

A percussion instrument with metal bars and rotating disks in the boxes that make a soft vibrating sound

is the more common short name rather than this variant name

Surface Forms

vibe singular
vibes plural

Morphology

vibes = vibraphone (semi-transparent) = vibe + vibraphone + s

The form 'vibes' is a colloquial clipping of 'vibraphone' with plural marking; the connection is clear if the listener knows the instrument, but learners who only know 'vibe' (atmosphere) may be misled.

Etymology

Vibes is a short, everyday name for the vibraphone, a jazz instrument with metal bars. The longer name comes from vibrate meaning 'shake' and -phone meaning 'sound', so the instrument's bars and rotating disks make a vibrating sound, which is why people call it vibes.