resonant

[ rez-uh-nuhnt ]

adjective

1. resounding resound or echoing, as sounds:

   the resonant thundering of cannons being fired.

2. deep and full of resonance:

   a resonant voice.

   Synonyms: reverberant, sonorant, vibrant, rich

3. pertaining to resonance.
4. producing resonance; causing amplification or sustention of sound.
5. pertaining to a system in a state of resonance, especially with respect to sound.

noun

1. Phonetics. a vowel or a voiced consonant or semivowel that is neither a stop nor an affricate, as, in English, (m, ng, n, l, r, y, w).

resonant

/ ˈrɛzənənt /

adjective

1. (of sound) resounding or re-echoing
2. producing or enhancing resonance, as by sympathetic vibration
3. characterized by resonance

Derived Forms

• ˈresonantly, adverb

Other Words From

• reso·nant·ly adverb
• hyper·reso·nant adjective
• hyper·reso·nant·ly adverb
• non·reso·nant adjective
• non·reso·nant·ly adverb
• un·reso·nant adjective
• un·reso·nant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of resonant¹

1585–95; < Latin resonant- (stem of resonāns ), present participle of resonāre to resound; -ant

Example Sentences

That gained foundation in an elegant, emotionally resonant processional.

From Washington Post

Metaphorically speaking, it’s a history that continues to feel very resonant.

From Washington Post

It felt like such a resonant film to re-explore and reimagine.

From Washington Post

Its four active transducers and two JBL bass radiators are powered by a robust 30-watt amplifier and are designed to produce massive, resonant tones that you can both see and hear.

From Popular-Science

The very property that creates the most satisfying, long-lasting colors is exactly the resonant, high-energy behavior that makes them so deadly.

From Nautilus

He has a lean, crackling energy about him, a sense of dramatic flourish, a resonant voice that is not unaware of its own music.

From The Daily Beast

The writing is resonant, but must America “see itself” so squarely in this particular regard?

From The Daily Beast

Tanaquil Le Clercq is a name resonant with drama and tragedy.

From The Daily Beast

The dialogue is pure McCarthy as well: clipped, resonant, near-Biblical—and somewhat pompous.

From The Daily Beast

And then when people finally talk, it has a much more resonant feeling.

From The Daily Beast

Under the name of "Chimes" these resonant gongs are now finding place in many Church and Concert organs.

From Project Gutenberg

The entire heavens seemed to form a sounding-board, the least vibration resonant beneath its stretch.

From Project Gutenberg

Peggy went up to the piano, which was open, and struck two or three resonant chords.

From Project Gutenberg

They rode in parties to High Knob, and the ring of hoof and the laughter of youth and maid made every dusk resonant with joy.

From Project Gutenberg

If he had been nearer, perhaps he might have heard the resonant snores of the sleeping Jacks.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• mellow
• profound
• rich
• ringing
• sonorous
• thrilling