canorous
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of canorous
1640–50; < Latin canōrus, equivalent to canōr- (stem of canor song, equivalent to can ( ere ) to sing + -or -or 1 ) + -us -ous
Explanation
Canorous describes something melodious and pleasing to the ear, like a beautiful piece of music or the sound of birds singing. The word canorous comes from the Latin word canor, which means "melody" or "song." It may be used to describe sounds that are musical and harmonious, pleasant to listen to, like a song. One might use the word canorous to describe a choir's performance; the peaceful and relaxing sound of a flowing river; or the cheerful chirping of songbirds in the morning. Someone might even describe the words of a poem or the sound of laughter as canorous.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A whisp of a canorous clarinet or a rumbling rattle is all it takes for a kind of instant transport to a far-off time and place.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 2025
The graceful trio and canorous brilliancy of this dance make it a favored number.
From Chopin : the Man and His Music by Huneker, James
But the other Paris, the Paris of the canorous night, the Paris of the Parisians!
From Europe After 8:15 by Benton, Thomas H.
Then there came a canorous snarl of bass, and then, abruptly, with resistless charm, and with full-bodied, satisfying amplitude of volume the opening movement of the overture of "Carmen."
From The Pit by Norris, Frank
I was regretful at leaving the elastic Tuscan speech, canorous in its vowels set in emphatic l’s and m’s and the vigorous soft spring of the double consonants.
From The Rhythm of Life by Meynell, Alice Christiana Thompson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
