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

intonational

ˌin-tə-ˈnā-sh(ə-)nəl 

-(ˌ)tō-

adjective

Examples of intonation in a Sentence

identical sentences, differing only in intonation

Recent Examples on the Web

From the start, Pygmalion’s musicians stood out, not so much for their pristine intonation and liquid legato—today’s early-music ensembles have transcended the scrawniness of yore—as for their vibrant phrasing, their bold colors, their air of spontaneous excitement. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 23 June 2025

One of my four sisters would grab the paper and read these gems out loud, in a proclamation voice with special intonation for any name-drop of an Ivy League or Seven Sisters school. —Lian Dolan, People.com, 20 May 2025

Bono reveals himself here to be as much an actor as a musician, investing his monologue with a theatrical delivery, expressive body language, and the sort of musical intonations with which T.S. —Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025

Another posted that Eliana was demonstrating her skills of prosody—the patterns of stress and intonation in a language. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for intonation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids 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

intonational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective