Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for lilt on Thesaurus.com rhythmic swing or cadence. a lilting song or tune. Show More
verb (used with or without object) to sing or play in a light, tripping, or rhythmic manner. Show More
Origin of lilt 1300–50; Middle English lulte; perhaps akin to Dutch lul pipe, lullen to lull
Related forms lilt·ing·ly , adverb lilt·ing·ness , noun Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for lilt Contemporary Examples of lilt “I would expect that,” he says in a soft tenor voice, with the hint of a Southern lilt .
As Morris shares his side of the story, his voice whispers across the phone line, a gentle Southern lilt kissing every syllable.
His voice carries some of the Bavarian lilt of Werner Herzog, and he looks slightly like Daniel Day-Lewis when he laughs.
“I was starting a new collection and feeling a little depressed,” the 45-year-old says with her strong Gallic lilt .
Historical Examples of lilt Was that indeed the end of it all, of the hope, the lilt , the glory?
That the fisherman's daughter with the Island lilt in her voice—well he recalled it!
No one who can play dance music with that lilt can be as cold as a stone—.
Through the window came to him the lilt of the fresh young voice.
(Twig to the lilt , I have got it all right)Sleep, little babe, sleep on!
British Dictionary definitions for lilt (in music) a jaunty rhythm a buoyant motion Show More
(of a melody) to have a lilt to move in a buoyant manner Show More
Derived Forms lilting , adjective Word Origin for lilt C14 lulten, origin obscure
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for lilt v. 1510s, "to lift up" (the voice), probably from late 14c. West Midlands dialect lulten "to sound an alarm," of unknown origin. Possible relatives include Norwegian lilla "to sing" and Low German lul "pipe." It is possible that the whole loose group is imitative. Sense of "sing in a light manner" is first recorded 1786. Related: Lilted ; lilting . As a noun, 1728, "lilting song," from the verb. As "rhythmical cadence," 1840.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
