English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
verb

yodel

YOH-duhl

Yodel (verb) means to sing by rapidly switching between a normal chest voice and a high falsetto. Example: “The Alpine singer yodeled across the valley.”

verb
1
To sing by rapidly switching between a normal chest voice and a high falsetto.
"The Alpine singer yodeled across the valley."
"He tried to yodel and ended up just laughing."
noun
1
A song or vocal style built around this rapid switching between voice registers.
"The old folk record ended with a cheerful yodel."

How to use yodel

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe distinctive warbling singing style where the voice flips quickly between low and high notes, best known from Alpine folk music.

Common pairings
yodel a tune break into a yodel

Word forms

yodeled past tense, yodelled past tense, yodels plural, yodels singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “yodel” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The Alpine singer _____ across the valley.

Etymology

Borrowed from German "jodeln," describing the same style of singing associated with Alpine folk music.

Origin: German

Related words

Rhymes for yodel

See all rhymes for yodel →

Frequently asked questions

What does “yodel” mean?

The word “yodel” means to sing by rapidly switching between a normal chest voice and a high falsetto. In plain terms, the distinctive warbling singing style where the voice flips quickly between low and high notes, best known from Alpine folk music.

How do you pronounce “yodel”?

“Yodel” is pronounced YOH-duhl (/ˈjoʊ.dəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “yodel” in a sentence?

Here is “yodel” used in a sentence: “The Alpine singer yodeled across the valley.”

What part of speech is “yodel”?

Depending on how it is used, “yodel” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “yodel” come from?

The word “yodel” comes from German. Borrowed from German "jodeln," describing the same style of singing associated with Alpine folk music.

How many meanings does “yodel” have?

“Yodel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to sing by rapidly switching between a normal chest voice and a high falsetto.

Featured in

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial