noun · verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˌvaɪ.əˈlɪn/
General-American:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
South-Asia:/ˈʋaɪə.lɪn/
Hong-Kong:/ˌvaɪ.oʊˈlin/
Hong-Kong:[ˌwaʊˈlin]
rhymes with -ɪn
CMU ARPABET:V AY0 AH0 L IH1 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
A small unfretted stringed instrument with four strings tuned (lowest to highest) G-D-A-E, usually held against the chin and played with a bow.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
Examples
When I play it like this, it's a fiddle; when I play it like this, it's a violin.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
Any instrument of the violin family, always inclusive of violins, violas and cellos, and sometimes further including the double bass.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: proscribed, sometimes
Qualifier: inexact
Examples
The string quartet, one of the most popular groupings in chamber music, is composed entirely of violins: two violins proper, one viola, and one cello.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A violinist in an orchestra or group.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: metonymically
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
Examples
The violins are seated with sufficient elbow room.
She is first violin in the London Symphony Orchestra.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
To play on, or as if on, a violin.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: ambitransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Etymology tree Medieval Latin *vitulader. Old Occitan violabor.? Italian viola Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Indo-European *-iHnos Proto-Italic *-īnos Latin -īnus Italian -ino Italian violinoder. English violin Derived from Italian violino (“little viola”), from viola + -ino.
Across languages
Translations
169 source translations are retained for this English entry.