Phrase guide

F clef

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

a clef which indicates the position of F below middle C in a given staff.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music

Examples

  • The F clef may be placed on the third or fourth or fifth line (from the bottom) of a five-line staff, and is then called the baritone clef, bass clef, or subbass clef, respectively.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a clef that puts the F below middle C on the fourth line of a staff

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: bass clef

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: clef

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

16 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 低音譜號 /低音谱号 (dīyīn pǔhào) — a clef
  • Dutch: f-sleutel — a clef
  • Dutch: fasleutel — a clef
  • Finnish: bassoavain — a clef
  • Finnish: F-avain — a clef
  • Finnish: F-nuottiavain — a clef
  • French: clef de fa — a clef
  • French: clé de fa — a clef
  • German: Bassschlüssel — a clef
  • Icelandic: f-lykill — a clef
  • Italian: chiave di fa — a clef
  • Japanese: ヘ音記号 (heon kigō) — a clef
  • Polish: klucz basowy — a clef
  • Portuguese: clave de fá — a clef
  • Russian: ключ фа (ključ fa) — a clef
  • Russian: басо́вый ключ (basóvyj ključ) — a clef