violin

noun

vi·​o·​lin ˌvī-ə-ˈlin 

: a bowed stringed instrument having four strings tuned at intervals of a fifth and a usual range from G below middle C upward for more than 4¹/₂ octaves and having a shallow body, shoulders at right angles to the neck, a fingerboard without frets, and a curved bridge

violinist

ˌvī-ə-ˈli-nist 

noun

violinistic

ˌvī-ə-lə-ˈni-stik 

adjective

Illustration of violin

• 1 bridge
• 2 sound hole
• 3 soundboard
• 4 fingerboard
• 5 pegs
• 6 scroll
• 7 tailpiece
• g G-string
• d D-string
• a A-string
• e E-string

Examples of violin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The violin maker whose hands still sharpen the same knives. —Big Think, 9 Oct. 2025

The show will feature Beth Ross Buckley (flute), David Buckley (violin), Andres Martin (double bass) and Dana Burnett (piano). —La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Oct. 2025

Simone Kjolsrud remembered her daughter for being adventurous and someone who enjoyed being outdoors or playing the violin and cello. —Julie Mendes, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025

In the clip, which sees Reid's Lestat singing and sawing a violin, fans are treated to a brief snippet of Lestat's anthemic music. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian violino, from viola "viola, viol" + -ino, diminutive suffix, going back to Latin -īnus -ine entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for violin

• aneurin
• crystallin
• eosin
• mandolin
• porphyrin
• underpin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin
• foreskin

Kids Definition

violin

noun

vi·​o·​lin ˌvī-ə-ˈlin 

1

: a stringed musical instrument with four strings that is usually held against the shoulder under the chin and played with a bow

2

: violinist