trill
Trill (noun) means a rapid alternation between two adjacent musical notes. Example: “The violinist added a delicate trill at the end of the phrase.”
How to use trill
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA quick, warbling repetition of sound — used for birdsong, singing, or a musical ornament.
Word forms
triller comparative, trilled past tense, trilled past tense, trilled past tense, trills plural, trills singular, trills singular, trills singular, trillest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The violinist added a delicate _____ at the end of the phrase.
Etymology
From Italian trillo/trillare, borrowed into Middle English as trillen.
Related words
Rhymes for trill
See all rhymes for trill →Frequently asked questions
What does “trill” mean?
The word “trill” means a rapid alternation between two adjacent musical notes. In plain terms, a quick, warbling repetition of sound — used for birdsong, singing, or a musical ornament.
How do you pronounce “trill”?
“Trill” is pronounced trihl (/tɹɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “trill” in a sentence?
Here is “trill” used in a sentence: “The violinist added a delicate trill at the end of the phrase.”
What is another word for “trill”?
Words with a similar meaning to “trill” include chirl, chirr, quaver, warble, wobble and roll.
What part of speech is “trill”?
Depending on how it is used, “trill” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “trill” come from?
The word “trill” comes from Middle English. From Italian trillo/trillare, borrowed into Middle English as trillen.
How many meanings does “trill” have?
“Trill” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rapid alternation between two adjacent musical notes.