noun
Uncommon
viola
VEE-uh-luh
Viola (noun) means a stringed instrument similar to but slightly larger than a violin, with a deeper tone. Example: “She switched from violin to viola in her second year of music college.”
noun
1
A stringed instrument similar to but slightly larger than a violin, with a deeper tone.
"But those who attack violists shouldn't throw resin. Once the ergonomic viola catches on what instrument will be immune?"
— Edward Rothstein, A Comeback for the Viola. No Joking (1997)
"She switched from violin to viola in her second year of music college."
"Also in that series, without Mr. Masur's guiding hand, Ms. Phelps and Ms. Young will anchor performances of Bach's Sixth "Brandenburg" Concerto, in which violas carry the upper lines."
— James E. Oestreich, MUSIC; Violists Are the Twin Stars Of an Orchestral Galaxy (1999)
2
A flowering plant of the genus Viola, including violets and pansies.
"The garden border was planted with violas in purple and yellow."
How to use viola
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the violin-like instrument with a deeper sound, or a small flowering garden plant.
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Word forms
- Plural
- violas, viole
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She switched from violin to _____ in her second year of music college.
Etymology
From Latin viola, "violet."
Synonyms
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alto violin
Rhymes for viola
See all rhymes for viola →Frequently asked questions
What does “viola” mean?
The word “viola” means a stringed instrument similar to but slightly larger than a violin, with a deeper tone. In plain terms, either the violin-like instrument with a deeper sound, or a small flowering garden plant.
How do you pronounce “viola”?
“Viola” is pronounced VEE-uh-luh (/vaɪˈoʊlə/ in IPA).
How do you use “viola” in a sentence?
Here is “viola” used in a sentence: “She switched from violin to viola in her second year of music college.”
What part of speech is “viola”?
“Viola” is a noun.
Where does the word “viola” come from?
The word “viola” comes from Latin. From Latin viola, "violet.".
Is “viola” a common word?
“Viola” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “viola” have?
“Viola” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a stringed instrument similar to but slightly larger than a violin, with a deeper tone.
What is the difference between a viola and a violin?
A viola is slightly larger than a violin and produces a deeper, warmer tone, while the violin is smaller and higher-pitched. Both are stringed instruments played with a bow, but the viola sits below the violin in an orchestra's string section.
Is a viola the same as a violet or pansy?
They share a name but are different things: viola also refers to a flowering plant of the genus Viola, which includes violets and pansies. The plant sense and the musical instrument sense are unrelated except for the shared word.
Why do violas sound different from violins?
A viola's larger body and longer strings give it a lower range and a richer, mellower sound compared to the brighter tone of a violin. This makes the viola well suited to playing middle harmony parts in an orchestra or string quartet.
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