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 James Huneker
But no English poet can write English poetry except in English,—that is, in that compound of Teutonic and Romanic which derives its heartiness and strength from the one and its canorous elegance from the other.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 01, No. 06, April, 1858 by Various
But the other Paris, the Paris of the canorous night, the Paris of the Parisians!
From Europe After 8:15 by Thomas H. Benton
Some are graceful and smooth, however, and are canorous though never sonorous.
From Sabbath in Puritan New England by Alice Morse Earle
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.
