intonation

American  

[in-toh-ney-shuhn, -tuh-] / ˌɪn toʊˈneɪ ʃən, -tə- /

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.

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intonation British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• intonational adjective

Etymology

Origin of intonation

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

Explanation

Even if your friend claims she's not upset by the death of her pet iguana, her intonation may tell a different story. Intonation means the way someone's voice rises and falls as they're speaking. Your emotions, your regional accent, or just the particular way you're used to speaking can all affect the intonation of your voice. There's something musical in the way people speak, and intonation describes that musicality. The word also means "producing musical tones," either with your voice or a musical instrument. Another kind of intonation is chanting, or half-speaking, half-singing your words.

Example Sentences

The phrase was based off his uncle, he said in a 2008 interview, and he had also said it in the same intonation in other films before debuting on HBO's The Wire.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2025

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

From Salon • Sep. 29, 2025

So every weekend we had a Zoom and taught her the rhythm, intonation, subtext.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2024

Melodic intonation therapy, for instance, is a promising approach to train people with aphasia to sing what they want to say, using their intact "musical mechanisms" to bypass damaged speech mechanisms.

From Science Daily • May 28, 2024

Major seconds and thirds are larger in Pythagorean intonation than in equal temperament, and minor seconds and thirds are smaller.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones