violin
veye-uh-LIHN
Violin (noun) means a small four-stringed instrument played with a bow, held under the chin, the highest-pitched of the standard string family. Example: “She has played the violin since she was six years old.”
noun
1
A small four-stringed instrument played with a bow, held under the chin, the highest-pitched of the standard string family.
"She has played the violin since she was six years old."
"The orchestra's first violin led the tuning before the concert."
"She was looking more like Sherlock Holmes than ever. Slap a dressing-gown on her and give her a violin, and she could have walked straight into Baker Street and no questions asked."
— Pelham Grenville Wodehouse (1960)
"When I play it like this, it's a fiddle; when I play it like this, it's a violin."
"The violin sounded sweet and sad in the quiet church."
How to use violin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small stringed instrument played with a bow — the standard high-pitched instrument in an orchestra.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
play the violin
a violin lesson
a violin solo
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Word forms
- Plural
- violins
- Third person singular
- violins
- Past tense
- violined
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She has played the _____ since she was six years old.
Etymology
From Italian violino, "little viola."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for violin
See all rhymes for violin →Frequently asked questions
What does “violin” mean?
The word “violin” means a small four-stringed instrument played with a bow, held under the chin, the highest-pitched of the standard string family. In plain terms, a small stringed instrument played with a bow — the standard high-pitched instrument in an orchestra.
How do you pronounce “violin”?
“Violin” is pronounced veye-uh-LIHN (/ˌvaɪ.əˈlɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “violin” in a sentence?
Here is “violin” used in a sentence: “She has played the violin since she was six years old.”
What is another word for “violin”?
Words with a similar meaning to “violin” include fiddle and crowd.
What part of speech is “violin”?
“Violin” is a noun.
Where does the word “violin” come from?
The word “violin” comes from Italian. From Italian violino, "little viola.".
Is “violin” a common word?
“Violin” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between a 'violin' and a 'fiddle'?
A violin and a fiddle are literally the same instrument; the difference lies in the style of music played and the term used by the player. 'Violin' is typically used for classical music, while 'fiddle' is the informal term used in folk, country, and bluegrass traditions.
What is the difference between a 'violin' and a 'viola'?
The violin is the smallest and highest-pitched member of the standard string family, while the viola is slightly larger and tuned lower. Violinists hold the instrument under the chin just like viola players, but the two produce noticeably different pitch ranges and tones.
How is a 'violin' played?
A violin is a small, four-stringed instrument that is typically played with a bow drawn across the strings while the instrument is held under the chin. Players can also pluck the strings directly, a technique called pizzicato, for a different sound.
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