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violist

1 American  
[vahy-uh-list] / ˈvaɪ ə lɪst /

noun

  1. a person who plays the viol.

violist 2 American  
[vee-oh-list] / viˈoʊ lɪst /

noun

  1. a person who plays the viola.

violist 1 British  
/ vɪˈəʊlɪst /

noun

  1. a person who plays the viola

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
violist 2 British  
/ ˈvaɪəlɪst /

noun

  1. a person who plays the viol

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of violist1

First recorded in 1660–70; viol + -ist

Origin of violist2

viol(a) 1 + -ist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Before joining the Journal in 2015, she worked as a professional violist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

The orchestra is also losing two of its outstanding principal players, violist Teng Li and oboist Marc Lachat, both leaving reportedly for family reasons.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2024

In the opening minute, there is playing from the violinist and violist Yvonne Lam and forceful acoustic percussion from the drummer Jason Treuting.

From New York Times • Feb. 29, 2024

The film focuses on the two young leaders, conductor Negin Khpalwak and lead violist Zarifa Adiba.

From BBC • Nov. 12, 2023

If Papa were here, he'd be whispering violist jokes to pass the time.

From "What the Night Sings" by Vesper Stamper

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.