vibrato

American  

[vi-brah-toh, vahy-] / vɪˈbrɑ toʊ, vaɪ- /

noun

Music.

plural

vibratos

1. a pulsating effect, produced in singing by the rapid reiteration of emphasis on a tone, and on bowed instruments by a rapid change of pitch corresponding to the vocal tremolo.

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vibrato British  

/ vɪˈbrɑːtəʊ /

noun

1. a slight, rapid, and regular fluctuation in the pitch of a note produced on a stringed instrument by a shaking movement of the hand stopping the strings

2. an oscillatory effect produced in singing by fluctuation in breath pressure or pitch

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Etymology

Origin of vibrato

1860–65; < Italian < Latin vibrātus (past participle); vibrate

Compare meaning

How does vibrato compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• vibrato vs. tremolo

Example Sentences

A fast vibrato at first was her only hint of frailty.

From Los Angeles Times

His vibrato is disciplined and finely grained; when he moves up and down the neck, the motion is smooth as a jet plane lifting into altitude.

From Los Angeles Times

She has a vibrato that is out of place.

From Los Angeles Times

After months of painful practice, he learned a new style of playing – using his two good fingers to lay down chords, and adding vibrato to thicken the sound.

From BBC

And while it does not have the electronic vibrato of an auto-tuned microphone, it does sing.

From Los Angeles Times