Meaning & Definition of Intonation in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: The variation of pitch while speaking, which can convey different meanings.

  Example Sentence: Her intonation helped convey the sarcasm in her words.

• Definition: The accuracy of pitch in singing or playing an instrument.

  Example Sentence: The singer had perfect intonation throughout the performance.

• Definition: A specific pattern of pitch change that characterizes a particular tone or dialect.

  Example Sentence: He spoke with a British intonation that highlighted his upbringing.

• Definition: The use of stress and rhythm in speech.

  Example Sentence: The intonation in her speech suggested excitement.

Etymology

Origin: Derived from Latin 'intonatio', from 'intonare', meaning 'to sound' or 'to utter'.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• rising intonation: An upward pitch change at the end of a phrase, often indicating a question.
• falling intonation: A downward pitch change at the end of a phrase, often indicating a statement.
• intonation pattern: The specific melody of a sentence based on pitch variations.

Translations

• Spanish: entonación

• French: intonation

• German: Intonation

• Russian: интонация

Related Words

• inflection: A variation in the form of a word to express different grammatical relations.

• cadence: The rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words.

• modulation: The alteration of the frequency or amplitude of a signal, often used in music.

Slang Meanings of intonation

• Meaning: Sing-song voice

  Example Sentence: She spoke in a sing-song intonation that made everything sound cheerful.

• Meaning: Valley girl speak

  Example Sentence: Her intonation was so stereotypical of valley girls with that upward lilt.