lilt

American  

[lilt] / lɪlt /

noun

1. rhythmic swing or cadence.

2. a lilting song or tune.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to sing or play in a light, tripping, or rhythmic manner.

lilt British  

/ lɪlt /

noun

1. (in music) a jaunty rhythm

2. a buoyant motion

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verb

1. (of a melody) to have a lilt

2. to move in a buoyant manner

Other Word Forms

• lilting adjective
• liltingly adverb
• liltingness noun

Etymology

Origin of lilt

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English verb lilte, lulte “to sound an alarm; lift up (one's voice)”; perhaps akin to Dutch, Low German lul “pipe,” lullen “to lull,” Norwegian lilla “to sing,” of imitative origin

Example Sentences

In the second cast, Christine Shevchenko fell far short of Ms. Teuscher’s finesse, but she essayed the opening “Preghiera” movement with more of its requisite lilt and shimmer than Ms. Teuscher did.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Australian is also uniquely incompatible with the American lilt, she said.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

So, while a Welsh lilt might start you off in good stead as a trusted contestant, the odds are still all to play for.

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2025

But is a Welsh lilt really the key to gaining people's trust as a faithful in the show?

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2025

Thanks to a new lilt in Ma's voice, I couldn't bring myself to say no.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins