violin

noun

vi·​o·​lin ˌvī-ə-ˈlin 

: a bowed stringed instrument having four strings tuned at intervals of a fifth and a usual range from G below middle C upward for more than 4¹/₂ octaves and having a shallow body, shoulders at right angles to the neck, a fingerboard without frets, and a curved bridge

violinist

ˌvī-ə-ˈli-nist 

noun

violinistic

ˌvī-ə-lə-ˈni-stik 

adjective

Illustration of violin

• 1 bridge
• 2 sound hole
• 3 soundboard
• 4 fingerboard
• 5 pegs
• 6 scroll
• 7 tailpiece
• g G-string
• d D-string
• a A-string
• e E-string

Examples of violin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to her obituary, Vega was a talented singer and straight-A student who loved to swim and play violin. —Julia Reinstein, ABC News, 19 Nov. 2024

Nobody was picking up trumpets, violins or guitars for a while. —Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024

The music, played with traditional instruments such as the violin and the jarana huasteca, gives rhythm to the dances that are performed both in public spaces and in the homes of families, where they are meant to bless the atmosphere. —Arath Zumaya Muñoz, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2024

While Chilli asks a music-store employee how to start violin lessons for Bingo, Bingo wanders over to an electric drum kit and starts playing with the headphones on. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian violino, from viola "viola, viol" + -ino, diminutive suffix, going back to Latin -īnus -ine entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

violin

noun

vi·​o·​lin ˌvī-ə-ˈlin 

1

: a stringed musical instrument with four strings that is usually held against the shoulder under the chin and played with a bow

2

: violinist