lilting

adjective

lilt·​ing ˈlil-tiŋ How to pronounce lilting (audio)
1
: characterized by a rhythmical swing or cadence
a lilting stride
2
: cheerful, buoyant
a lilting comedy
liltingly adverb
liltingness noun

Examples of lilting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rory Kinnear gives him a lilting accent that makes Bombadil sound like a Cornish Forrest Gump. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2024 The production design from Jennifer Williams also hits the mark perfectly, and veteran composer Thomas Newman not only contributes another lilting score, but also a haunting song (with lyrics by Palacio) sung by the young stars, as well as over the end credits. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2024 And yet, this lilting tale’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it brevity proves inseparable from the lasting power of its punch-to-the-gut impact. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2024 There's a clear influence from the pace and tone of heist movies like Michael Mann's Thief and the more lilting cinematography of True Detective. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lilting 

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lilting was in 1800

Dictionary Entries Near lilting

Cite this Entry

“Lilting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lilting. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on lilting

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!