lilting

adjective

lilt·​ing ˈlil-tiŋ How to pronounce lilting (audio)
1
: characterized by a rhythmical swing or cadence
a lilting stride
2
: cheerful, buoyant
a lilting comedy
liltingly adverb
liltingness noun

Examples of lilting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The lilting story song, about father and daughter, was written soon after Combs' wife, Nicole, became pregnant with their first child. Nancy Kruh, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2024 His dance style has a more grounded, powerful flair that underscores his mercurial, threatening nature in contrast to the lilting moves of the more sensitive Romeo. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 2 Feb. 2024 The edge in her lilting voice had a warning: Don’t screw this up. Kimberly Bridson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2024 The project includes this lilting story of a post-heartbreak shift aimed at putting the past behind and moving toward liberation. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 16 Jan. 2024 Slightly color shifted long/medium shots with lilting folky music over them. Armond White, National Review, 27 Dec. 2023 He was widely credited with helping create a distinct blend of the raw power of rock and punk with the lilting rhythms of Gaelic folk melodies, inspiring bands such as the Cranberries in Ireland and the Dropkick Murphys in Boston. Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 30 Nov. 2023 Fraser, a 52-year-old life-long resident of Edinburgh with a lilting brogue, is an obsessive genealogist and historian who can help those with Scottish ancestry trace their roots and choose tartans that match their family heritage. Ross Kenneth Urken, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2023 There are times when none of that matters — when Catán’s music and the full force of the Met’s commitment help the audience forget all the footnotes and just sink into the tropical steam and lilting pulsations. Vulture, 17 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lilting.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lilting was in 1800

Dictionary Entries Near lilting

Cite this Entry

“Lilting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lilting. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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