violoncello

[ vee-uh-luhn-chel-oh, vahy- ]

/ ˌvi ə lənˈtʃɛl oʊ, ˌvaɪ- /

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noun, plural vi·o·lon·cel·los.

cello¹.

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Origin of violoncello

1715–25; <Italian, equivalent to violon(e) violone + -cello diminutive suffix

Words nearby violoncello

violinmaker, violin spider, violist, Viollet-le-Duc, violoncellist, violoncello, violone, viosterol, Viotti, VIP, viper

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use violoncello in a sentence

For one room a piano, violin, and violoncello makes a good band.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
What subdued the composer's individuality was no doubt the violoncello, which, however, is well provided with grateful cantilene.
Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician|Frederick Niecks
My dear boy, not unless you wished to learn the violoncello.
The Young Castellan|George Manville Fenn
The violoncello has its professional students among the gentler sex.
The College, the Market, and the Court|Caroline H. Dall

I send you the violoncello part; if you find that you can manage it, play it yourself, or let old Kraft do so.
Beethoven's Letters 1790-1826, Volume 1 of 2|Lady Wallace

British Dictionary definitions for violoncello

violoncello

/ (ˌvaɪələnˈtʃɛləʊ) /

noun plural -los

the full name for cello

Derived forms of violoncello

violoncellist, noun

Word Origin for violoncello

C18: from Italian, from violone + -cello, diminutive suffix

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