intonation
noun
in·to·na·tion
ˌin-tə-ˈnā-shən 
-(ˌ)tō-
1
: manner of utterance
specifically
: the rise and fall in pitch of the voice in speech
2
: something that is intoned
specifically
: the opening tones of a Gregorian chant
3
: the act of intoning and especially of chanting
4
: the ability to play or sing notes in tune
Examples of intonation in a Sentence
identical sentences, differing only in intonation
Recent Examples on the Web
Voice Translate The Pixel 10 series can translate voice calls in real time while recreating both speakers' voices and intonations.
—
PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
Among them, unfortunately, are a number of questionable and distracting Mancunian accents from a cast which is, er, mostly not from Manchester—intonations that will likely go unnoticed by American ears, but may be unbearable to some British ones.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2025
Every time Ash calls Sarah, his words are spoken by someone completely new, a total stranger with their own intonation.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
The pair give exacting performances laced with blink-and-you’ll-miss-it details around shifts in facial expressions, body language and even speech intonation.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intonation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
Among them, unfortunately, are a number of questionable and distracting Mancunian accents from a cast which is, er, mostly not from Manchester—intonations that will likely go unnoticed by American ears, but may be unbearable to some British ones.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2025
Every time Ash calls Sarah, his words are spoken by someone completely new, a total stranger with their own intonation.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
The pair give exacting performances laced with blink-and-you’ll-miss-it details around shifts in facial expressions, body language and even speech intonation.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intonation
Cite this Entry
“Intonation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intonation. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
intonation
noun
in·to·na·tion
ˌin-tə-ˈnā-shən
1
: the act of intoning
also
: something intoned
2
: the ability to play or sing music in tune
3
: the rise and fall in pitch of the voice in speech
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share