The correct spelling is G-U-I-T-A-R

Guitar is spelled with six letters: G, U, I, T, A, R. The word comes from Spanish and Portuguese origins, which is why it has that unusual "ui" combination in the middle rather than just "u" alone. The stress falls on the first syllable — GUI-tar — and that's where most spelling mistakes happen, because people often want to write it as "guitER" or drop the "i" entirely.

The spelling stays the same whether you're talking about an acoustic guitar, electric guitar, classical guitar, or any other type. The word doesn't change based on how the instrument is played, what style of music it's used for, or what material it's made from. Once you lock in G-U-I-T-A-R, you've got it for every context.

Key Takeaways

  • Guitar is spelled G-U-I-T-A-R with the stress on the first syllable (GUI-tar), and this spelling never changes.
  • The most common mistake is writing "guitER" instead of "guitAR" because English speakers are used to words ending in "-er".
  • The "ui" combination in the middle comes from the Spanish and Portuguese word guitarra, which English simplified when borrowing it.
  • Other frequent errors include leaving out the "i" to write "gutar" or adding an extra "r" and "a" to write "guitarra" (which is correct in Spanish but not English).
  • Breaking the word into chunks (GU-I-TAR) or remembering it ends in "-ar" like "similar" can help you remember the correct spelling.

Common misspellings and why they happen

The most frequent mistake is writing "guitAR" as "guitER" — swapping the final "a" for an "e". This happens because English speakers are used to words ending in "-er" (like "player", "teacher", or "speaker"), so the brain automatically tries to fit guitar into that familiar pattern. It's a natural mistake, but it's still wrong. Your mind is trying to make an unfamiliar word fit a familiar shape.

Another common error is leaving out the "i" entirely and writing "gutar". This usually happens when people type quickly or aren't paying close attention to the middle of the word. The "ui" combination is unusual enough in English that it's straightforward to skip over without noticing. You read past it because your brain fills in what it expects to see rather than what's actually written.

Some people also write "guitarra" — adding an extra "r" and an "a" at the end. This is actually the correct spelling in Spanish and Portuguese, so if you've learned the word in those languages first, that's where the confusion comes from. In English, we drop the final "a" and use only one "r" at the end. The word got simplified when it crossed into English.

Why the spelling includes that "ui" combination

English borrowed the word "guitar" from Spanish guitarra and Portuguese guitarra, both of which came from Arabic origins centuries ago. When the word moved into English, we kept most of the Spanish spelling but simplified the ending by removing one "r" and the final "a". This is common when English takes words from other languages — we keep enough to recognize it but change it to fit English patterns.

The "ui" in the middle stayed because it's part of how the word is pronounced — the "u" and "i" sounds blend together in that quick "gwi" sound at the start. English does have other words with "ui" (like "fruit", "suit", "build", and "ruin"), so it's not completely foreign to the language, but it's uncommon enough that people often forget it's there. The combination appears in fewer than 100 common English words, which is why it feels strange.

How to remember the correct spelling

One way to lock in the spelling is to break the word into chunks: GU-I-TAR. Say it out loud that way and you'll hear each part clearly separated. Another method is to remember that it ends in "-ar" (like "similar", "popular", or "dollar"), not "-er". The "-ar" ending is less common in English, which is why your brain wants to change it to something more familiar.

If you're a visual learner, write the word out a few times by hand. The physical act of writing helps cement the spelling in your memory better than just reading it. Pay special attention to that "ui" in the middle — that's the part that trips people up most often. Some people find it helpful to think of the word as coming from Spanish, which reminds them of the "a" at the end and the "ui" in the middle.

Spelling in different contexts

The spelling never changes whether you're writing formally or casually. You won't see "guitr" in text messages or "guitare" in formal documents — it's always G-U-I-T-A-R. Compound words that include guitar (like "guitarist", "guitar-shaped", or "guitar-playing") keep the same base spelling; you're just adding letters before or after the core word.

When you're writing the plural, it becomes "guitars" — just add an "s" to the end. The core spelling of the word itself stays exactly the same. If you're using it as part of a longer phrase like "electric guitar" or "classical guitar", each word keeps its own standard spelling.

Related spelling patterns in English

Understanding why guitar has this unusual spelling can help you spot similar patterns in other borrowed words. English has taken many words from Spanish, Portuguese, and other languages, and they often keep their original spelling even when it looks strange to English speakers. Words like "plaza" (from Spanish), "mosquito" (from Spanish), and "cargo" (from Spanish) all end in "a" rather than "e", just like guitar.

The "ui" combination also appears in words borrowed from other languages or from older English roots. Recognizing these patterns makes it easier to spell not just guitar, but other unusual words you encounter. Once you understand that English keeps some foreign spellings intact, you're less likely to "correct" them to something that looks more English.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it spelled "guitare" with an E at the end?

No. "Guitare" is the French spelling, but in English we use "guitar" with an "a" at the end. If you're writing in English, use the "a". French simplified the Spanish word differently than English did.

What about "guitarra" — is that ever correct in English?

"Guitarra" is the correct spelling in Spanish and Portuguese, but English simplified it to "guitar" with one "r" and no final "a". Use "guitarra" only if you're writing in Spanish or Portuguese.

Why do people spell it wrong so often?

The "ui" combination is unusual in English, and the "-ar" ending is less common than "-er", so people's brains try to "correct" it to something more familiar. It's a natural mistake, but the standard English spelling is G-U-I-T-A-R.

Does the spelling change for different types of guitars?

No. Whether you're talking about an acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, classical guitar, or any other variety, the word is always spelled G-U-I-T-A-R.

How do I teach someone else the correct spelling?

Break it into chunks (GU-I-TAR), remind them it ends in "-ar" not "-er", and have them write it out a few times. Pointing out that it comes from Spanish helps some people remember the "ui" and the final "a".