Intonation

Quick meaning: Intonation is a noun meaning (linguistics) The rise and fall of the voice in speaking.

Meaning

(linguistics) The rise and fall of the voice in speaking.

More Meanings

1. Emotive stress used to increase the power of delivery in speech.
2. A sound made by, or resembling that made by, a musical instrument.
3. Singing or playing in good tune or otherwise.
4. Reciting in a musical prolonged tone; intonating or singing of the opening phrase of a plain-chant, psalm, or canticle by a single voice, as of a priest.

Example Sentences

Her intonation was false.

In anxious expectation stood the crowd, When the shrill clarion's intonation loud Gave notice that the challenger drew nigh.

This additional cause of the intonation of thunder, together with the simile with which it is illustrated, is copied from our poet, both by Pliny, Nat. Hist. ii, 431, and Isidorus, Orig. xiii.

She well knew the power of intonation, and thought that, in the absence of the curled lip, the contemptuous twitch of the nose, and the supercilious toss of the head, her message might be acceptable for Louisa's sake,.

Word Forms

• intonations

Synonyms for intonation

Depending on context, synonyms include chanting.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include chanting, cadence, accent, inflection, tone, pitch.

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