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noun Uncommon

resonance

REH-zuh-nuhns

Resonance (noun) means a rich, echoing quality of sound. Example: “The singer's voice had a warm resonance that filled the hall.”

noun
1
A rich, echoing quality of sound.
"The singer's voice had a warm resonance that filled the hall."
2
The emotional or meaningful impact something has, striking a chord with people.
"The film's message still has resonance today."
3
In physics, a sharp increase in the amplitude of vibration when a driving frequency matches a system's natural frequency.
"The bridge collapsed due to resonance caused by the wind."

How to Use Resonance

Learner’s notes
Common pairings
emotional resonance a resonance with vocal resonance

Word Forms

resonances plural

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The singer's voice had a warm _____ that filled the hall.

Etymology

From Latin resonantia, "echo", from resono, "to resound".

Origin: Latin

reverberation depth richness amplification

Related Words

Rhymes for resonance

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “resonance” mean?

The word “resonance” means a rich, echoing quality of sound.

How do you pronounce “resonance”?

“Resonance” is pronounced REH-zuh-nuhns (/ˈɹɛzənəns/ in IPA).

How do you use “resonance” in a sentence?

Here is “resonance” used in a sentence: “The singer's voice had a warm resonance that filled the hall.”

What part of speech is “resonance”?

“Resonance” is a noun.

Where does the word “resonance” come from?

The word “resonance” comes from Latin. From Latin resonantia, "echo", from resono, "to resound".

Is “resonance” a common word?

“Resonance” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “resonance” have?

“Resonance” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rich, echoing quality of sound.

What is the difference between resonance and echo?

An echo is a distinct repetition of a sound reflected back after a delay, while resonance is a rich, sustained quality that builds when a sound or vibration reinforces itself within a system. Resonance adds fullness and depth to a sound in the moment, rather than repeating it later.

What does it mean when something has emotional resonance?

When something has emotional resonance, it means it strikes a chord with people, creating a meaningful or lasting impact beyond its literal content. A story, image, or piece of music can have resonance if it connects deeply with an audience's experiences or feelings.

What is resonance in physics?

In physics, resonance is a sharp increase in the amplitude of vibration that occurs when a driving frequency matches a system's natural frequency. This is why, for example, a bridge or a wine glass can vibrate dramatically when exposed to a matching frequency, even from a relatively small force.

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