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 4½ 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

In his youth, Blomstedt learned piano, violin and organ, then fell in love with symphonic music. — Tom Huizenga, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026

But with Ameen on violin, this dynamic is inverted, and the intermingling of their strings on the recording provides a unique tonal color. — Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026

Nicole was the group’s lead singer, who, like her sisters, also played banjo, guitar and violin and was featured in the group’s many jokey YouTube videos. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2026

After the first day’s sessions, participants dispersed to parties; at one, singers in sequins belted out covers while someone played an illuminated, transparent violin. — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

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

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• crankpin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin

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