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
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Word forms
- Plural
- resonances
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The singer's voice had a warm _____ that filled the hall.
Etymology
From Latin resonantia, "echo", from resono, "to resound".
Synonyms
View more →
reverberation
depth
richness
amplification
sonorousness
vibrancy
sonority
plangency
rapport
reverberance
ringing
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for resonance
See all rhymes for resonance →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.
