muso
noun · casual
A musician.
How do Aussies use ‘muso’?
- He's a muso who plays in pubs on weekends.
- Lots of musos played at the festival.
How to pronounce ‘muso’
Say it like this: MYOO-zoh
‘muso’ in a conversation
Leah: Who's that playing guitar?
Sam: That's Kai. He's a muso. He plays at the café every Friday.
What else should you know about ‘muso’?
Very common in the music world and in newspapers. It has the Aussie -o ending, like 'arvo' and 'doco'.
Where will you hear ‘muso’?
You'll hear 'muso' in music reviews, on the radio and around pubs, cafés and festivals with live music. Musicians often use it about themselves and their friends.
How do you reply or use ‘muso’ yourself?
If someone says 'I'm a muso', you can ask 'What do you play?' or 'Where can I hear you?' It's a friendly word, so you can use it in casual chats too.
More examples
- The band is looking for a new muso to play drums.
- My neighbour is a muso. I hear him practising every night.
- Local musos played at the community fair.
🎧 Recorded with Australian AI voices (Bec and Davo from our Listening Room), so you hear a natural Aussie accent on every device.
What mistake do learners make with ‘muso’?
Say it with a Z sound: MYOO-zoh. It's a friendly word, and many musicians call themselves musos.
What can you say instead in formal English?
In a formal email, essay or the PTE test, use musician instead.
Slang is great for chatting with friends and workmates, but keep it out of PTE essays and formal writing.
Fill the gap
Which word goes in the gap?
She plays guitar and sings in a band. She's a ___.
Show the answer
muso
Quick check
What does ‘muso’ mean?
- A musician.
- A pavlova: a big meringue dessert topped with cream and fresh fruit.
- To put on warm clothes.
Show the answer
A. A musician.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'muso' mean in Australia?
A musician. Very common in the music world and in newspapers. It has the Aussie -o ending, like 'arvo' and 'doco'.
Can I say 'muso' at work?
With workmates, yes. 'muso' is fine in a chat at smoko or a casual message, but don't use it with clients, in formal emails, or in the PTE and IELTS writing tests.
How do you pronounce 'muso'?
Say it like this: MYOO-zoh. Press 'Hear it' on this page to listen.
When do Australians say 'muso'?
You'll hear 'muso' in music reviews, on the radio and around pubs, cafés and festivals with live music. Musicians often use it about themselves and their friends.