intonation

[in-toh-ney-shuhn, -tuh-]

noun

1. the pattern or melody of pitch changes in connected speech, especially the pitch pattern of a sentence, which distinguishes kinds of sentences or speakers of different language cultures.

2. the act or manner of intonating.

3. the manner of producing musical tones, specifically the relation in pitch of tones to their key or harmony.

4. something that is intoned or chanted.

5. the opening phrase in a Gregorian chant, usually sung by one or two voices.

intonation

/ ˌɪntəʊˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the sound pattern of phrases and sentences produced by pitch variation in the voice

2. the act or manner of intoning

3. an intoned, chanted, or monotonous utterance; incantation

4. music the opening of a piece of plainsong, sung by a soloist

5. music

   1. the correct or accurate pitching of intervals

   2. the capacity to play or sing in tune See also just intonation

Other Word Forms

• intonational adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intonation¹

First recorded in 1610–20, intonation is from the Medieval Latin word intonātiōn- (stem of intonātiō ). See intonate, -ion

Example Sentences

With one long, deep intonation, the man has stopped all time around them – freezing the water in place – a demonstration of unfathomable power.

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With its Baroque intonations, the piano interlude participates in establishing the track’s nostalgic undercurrents.

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Menacing intonations about an invasion that must be stopped at all costs.

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But the result was thin, devoid of intonation or personality, and it had an American lilt.

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Earshot also analysed Sheikh Hasina's speech – the rhythm, intonation and breath sounds - and identified consistent noise floor levels, finding no evidence of synthetic artefacts in the audio.

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